Ahead of world-first race series
Extreme H has completed the final phase of testing on its hydrogen-powered Pioneer 25 race car in southern France, as the series – an evolution of the electric off-road race series Extreme E – prepares for the world’s first off-road championship using hydrogen fuel cell technology.
The multi-day session in Fontjoncouse, a rugged region favoured by rally teams for its punishing terrain, focused on refining key technical components, evaluating tyre upgrades and validating performance benchmarks. The tests come as Extreme H moves closer to launching its debut season later this year under the governance of the FIA.
Australian driver Molly Taylor, a former Extreme E champion and member of E.ON Next Veloce Racing, was among those to trial the vehicle. Taylor said the Pioneer 25 delivered immediate confidence behind the wheel, with significant improvements over its electric predecessor.
“The suspension has much more range, especially in rough conditions,” Taylor said after testing. “You can push harder and trust that the car will take it. It feels like a big step up from what we had in Extreme E.”
Taylor added that the transition to hydrogen power brought noticeable differences, especially when starting the vehicle. “When the hydrogen system fired up, steam came out of the exhaust. At home, that’s usually a bad sign, but here it’s part of the process. It’s a reminder that you’re driving something new, something clean.”
The Pioneer 25 is powered by hydrogen fuel cells using green hydrogen gas, producing only water vapour as its emission. The vehicle weighs 2,200 kilograms, measures 2.4 metres in width, and delivers a peak output of 400 kW—equivalent to approximately 550 horsepower. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in 4.5 seconds and climb gradients of up to 130 per cent, enabling it to tackle extreme off-road challenges.
Swedish driver Kevin Hansen, Taylor’s team-mate at Veloce Racing, took part in the testing for a second time after an earlier session earlier this year. Hansen said the car had made substantial progress and now felt “more robust” and race-ready.
“It feels like a proper race car now,” Hansen said. “We’ve been trialling different settings and it’s responding well. It’s in strong shape. Once we get to race trim and start pushing for performance, it’ll be interesting to see how much more we can get out of it.”
Extreme H is banking on hydrogen to offer a cleaner, scalable technology for future motorsport. Organisers say it also provides an opportunity to test and improve hydrogen powertrain systems in high-stress environments.
Mark Grain, Technical Director at Extreme H, oversaw the testing programme. He said the focus was not only on performance, but also on long-term reliability and endurance, both of which are essential for the upcoming World Cup-style format.
“The tyres have shown strong improvement since our last test and have had good feedback from the drivers,” Grain said. “We’ve also run endurance tests on core components and made refinements to the fuel cell systems. We’re getting close to being ready for racing.”
Grain added that input from drivers with previous experience in Extreme E had been valuable. “Molly and Kevin bring a lot to the table. They know how the older cars behaved and can give us honest comparisons. Their experience across different race disciplines is helping us refine the Pioneer 25.”
The car was designed and built by Spark Racing Technology, the same engineering firm behind the original Extreme E and Formula E platforms. The Pioneer 25 features a standardised chassis and component package, but teams are allowed to develop their hydrogen fuel cells and customise bodywork to reflect different automotive brands.
The aim, according to the organisers, is to strike a balance between cost control and technical innovation, while also providing manufacturers with a platform to showcase their hydrogen technologies.
Testing of the Pioneer 25 has been equivalent to three seasons of Extreme E competition, organisers said, with the vehicle exposed to a variety of conditions and challenges to ensure reliability. Unlike traditional internal combustion or electric vehicles, the hydrogen system introduces new demands around temperature regulation, energy management and fuel delivery, all of which have been a focus in the development phase.
Extreme H has not yet confirmed the host location or schedule for its inaugural event, but is expected to announce full details in the coming weeks. The series will be the first to use hydrogen-powered off-road race cars in competition and is backed by the FIA as part of its roadmap to more sustainable motorsport.
With the Pioneer 25 nearing competition readiness, Extreme H aims to position hydrogen as a viable clean energy solution not just for motorsport but for broader transportation applications across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.
Image: The Pioneer 25 is powered by hydrogen fuel cells using green hydrogen gas, producing only water vapour as its emission. Credit: Extreme H
