Extreme H, officially the FIA Extreme H World Cup, is an FIA-sanctioned international off-road racing series for spec silhouette hydrogen SUVs.[1] Born from the ashes of the all-electricExtreme E, it is the first-ever hydrogen-powered racing championship, and followed its predecessor's lead in highlighting climate change by racing in remote parts of the world and promoting gender equality with mixed two-driver lineups.[2][3]
It debuted in October 2025 with a one-off event in Saudi Arabia.[4]
History
In 2022, Extreme E management announced an intent to create a new sister racing series for hydrogen vehicles, to be called Extreme H, by 2024. This would have a similar format to Extreme E and feature a hydrogen fuel cell version of the Spark Odyssey 21 car.[1] In August 2023, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and Extreme E signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding to set out a framework for Extreme H. The inaugural season would be in 2025 and the series would be recognized as an FIA World Championship in 2026 should the requisite criteria be met.[5][6] In January 2024, the organisation announced that Extreme H would replace Extreme E rather than co-exist.[2]
Much like in Extreme E, teams are required to field one male and one female driver, with equal driving duties and driver changes taking place in a designated switch zone.[15] An Extreme H weekend consists of three disciplines—time trial, head-to-head and multi-car—each awarding qualifying points that contribute towards setting the starting grid for the World Cup final.[16]
Competition starts with time trials in the form of single-car runs against the clock. Two sessions take place and combined times determine the standings. Head-to-head sees teams compete side-by-side in a series of drag races. A knockout system is used, with 16 heats (four for each team, two per driver) followed by the semi-finals and final. The third and final discipline, multi-car, inherits the off-road racing element of Extreme E. Two qualifying rounds are held, each with a pair of four-lap, four-car heats. Points scored across the three disciplines allow teams to choose their preferred starting spot for the grand final, with the novelty that all eight cars get to race each other in a four-lap shootout. The winner of the World Cup Final is declared the overall event winner.[17]
Vehicle
The Spark Pioneer 25 hydrogen SUV was unveiled as the series' competition vehicle in Central London, aboard the RMS St Helena, on 27 June 2024.[18] The vehicle is manufactured by Spark Racing Technology, the constructors of the Extreme E and Formula E cars, with a 75kW (101hp) Symbio hydrogen fuel cell and a 325kW (436hp) Fortescue Zero battery.[19] The car is fitted with a niobium-reinforced steel alloy tubular frame with a central driving seat, as well as crash structure and roll cage.[20] It weighs 2,200kg (4,900lb), and is capable of 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and scaling gradients of up to 130%, with a total 400kW (540hp) of power.[21]
Extreme H has reached a number of broadcast partnerships with major TV corporations worldwide, with FOX Sports the first to secure one for the United States, Mexico and Central America.[24][25]ESPN holds the rights across Latin America as part of a multi-language deal,[26] while SPOTV is the exclusive broadcaster in fourteen Asian countries.[27][28] Other partners include Sony Pictures Networks in India, ITV in Great Britain, Mediaset in Italy, Ziggo Sport in the Netherlands and Eurosport in more than 50 territories across Europe.[29] Additionally, DAZN announced global free-to-air coverage of the series in October 2025.[30][31]
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