Mark Grain on developing the Pioneer 25 - a world-first for motorsport

The development of the Pioneer 25 has been led by Mark Grain, the championship’s Technical Director, ensuring the world’s first hydrogen racing series has an all-new car dedicated for its hydrogen-powered future.

In an interview following the official unveiling, Grain explains how the all-new Pioneer 25 marks a major shift for the series ahead of Extreme H debuting in 2025.

The launch of the Pioneer 25 for Extreme H marks a significant evolution in our series, representing the pinnacle of hydrogen fuel cell technology in motorsport. As Technical Director at Extreme H, I am thrilled to showcase this all-new car, manufactured by Spark Racing Technology and designed specifically to leverage Symbio's cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell technology, and to highlight how this vehicle will set new standards for racing performance and sustainability.

Drawing from over three years of data from Extreme E, the Pioneer 25 is a testament to our commitment to innovation. Our partners, such as Spark Racing Technology, Symbio, Fortescue ZERO and FOX Suspension have been instrumental in this journey.

The Pioneer 25 is an all-new chassis, purpose-designed to introduce hydrogen fuel cells to racing. Extreme E has already proven that electric vehicles can endure the harshest climatic and racing conditions, competing aggressively on challenging terrains. With Extreme H, we aim to demonstrate the same robustness and versatility for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. We want the world to see that the Pioneer 25 can perform under intense racing conditions, handle stress, and still deliver exceptional performance.

Our goals for Extreme H are ambitious. We have set higher benchmarks for overall performance including speed and acceleration. The Pioneer 25’s peak output of 400kW (550bhp) ensures it can accelerate from 0-100 kph in just 4.5 seconds and tackle gradients of up to 130 per cent. This impressive performance coupled to much improved ride, grip and handling comfortably offset any increase in mass.

Symbio's hydrogen fuel cell powers the Pioneer 25. This is a fuel cell is that has been designed and engineered specifically to meet the rigorous demands of motor racing. It provides a 75 kW charging the battery, which serves as the primary energy source. The battery pack, produced and supported trackside by Fortescue ZERO, ensures consistent and reliable performance.

The Pioneer 25 has undergone an intensive testing programme to prepare for its debut. Each car in Extreme H features a standardised package of parts from Spark Racing Technology, while allowing teams the flexibility to customise areas such as the front and rear bodywork sections and lights. This customisation enables teams to replicate the look of everyday car models, adding a layer of familiarity and relatability to the futuristic design, and we look forward to seeing this develop in upcoming seasons.

The car's low centre of gravity, combined with modified and improved suspension geometry, enhance its ride and handling. These advancements ensure that the Pioneer 25 not only meets but exceeds the performance standards set by the ODYSSEY 21, delivering a powerful and exhilarating racing experience.

Extreme H represents the first-ever testbed of hydrogen technology in motorsport, not just in our racing cars, but also in transportation, infrastructure, refueling processes, and safety regulations. This groundbreaking initiative positions us as pioneers in the field, showcasing the potential of hydrogen as a sustainable and powerful energy source.

The Pioneer 25 is more than just a racing car; it is a symbol of our commitment to advancing hydrogen technology and sustainability in motorsport. We are excited to debut this revolutionary vehicle and to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the race towards a greener future.

We are extremely excited to unveil it at the Hydro X Prix later this month, to showcase the incredible performance of the Pioneer 25 and groundbreaking hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Extreme E:

Josh Bell, Extreme E     
E: joshb@extreme-e.com  / T: +44 7389 727703

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Extreme E:
Extreme E is a radical off-road racing series, founded by the same team behind Formula E, which showcases electric SUVs and futuristic technologies in some of the world’s most remote and challenging environments.

This five-event global voyage utilises its sporting platform for the purpose of promoting electrification, environment and equality. The series’ goal is to highlight the impact of climate change in some of the world’s most endangered environments, promote the adoption of electric vehicles to pave the way for a lower carbon future, and provide a world-first gender-equal motorsport platform.

The first sport to ever be built out of a social purpose, Extreme E aims to minimise environmental impact while maximising awareness, racing in places that have already been damaged or affected by climate change or human interference and taking fans deep into the heart of the most pressing issues facing our planet’s future.

Not only that, but Extreme E is also helping the car industry to develop future-facing technology using racing as a platform for road innovation, which accelerates change ten-fold.

In 2025, Extreme E will transition into Extreme H – the world’s first hydrogen off-road racing series – and will be recognised as an FIA Championship from 2025, as we continue to be a pioneer in motorsport.

Season 4 Calendar: 

Saudi Arabia
17-18 February 2024
Europe, TBD
13-14 July 2024
Sardinia, Italy
14-15 September 2024
Sardinia, Italy
21-22 September 2024
USA
23-24 November 2024

About PIF
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) is one of the largest and most impactful sovereign wealth funds in the world. Since 2015, when the Board was reconstituted and oversight transferred to the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, the Fund’s board of directors has been chaired by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prime Minister, Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund. PIF plays a leading role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation and diversification, as well as contributing to shaping the future of the global economy. Since 2017, PIF has established over 90 companies. PIF is building a diversified portfolio by entering into attractive and long-term investment opportunities in 13 strategic sectors in Saudi Arabia and globally.

www.pif.gov.sa

About Continental Tires: Founding Partner and Official Tire Partner
Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent, and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation.

The tyres business area has 24 production and development locations worldwide. Continental is one of the leading tyre manufacturers with more than 56,000 employees and offers a broad product range for passenger cars, commercial and special-purpose vehicles as well as two-wheelers. Through continuous investment in research and development, Continental makes a major contribution to safe, cost effective and ecologically efficient mobility. The portfolio of the tyres business area includes services for the tyre trade and fleet applications, as well as digital management systems for tyres.

About LuisaViaRoma: Official Fashion Partner
Defined by the Financial Times as “a haven for directional fashion,” LUISAVIAROMA.COM is the top online luxury fashion destination with 5,000,000 visitors per month and worldwide shipping. With each new season, the website presents the collections of more than 600 established designers and young emerging talents.

About ENOWA: Official Green Hydrogen Partner
ENOWA is a world-class energy, water and hydrogen company founded in NEOM, Saudi Arabia. ENOWA produces and delivers clean and sustainable resources for industrial and commercial applications using a customer-centric smart and connected system, designed to be circular and takes advantage of NEOM's optimal solar and wind energy profile. ENOWA benefits from NEOM's greenfield site, which has no legacy infrastructure, to advance Energy, Water, and Hydrogen innovation.

ENOWA will act as a catalyst and incubator for developing new, sustainable energy and water businesses while creating a robust economic sector regionally. Through its commitment to renewable energy and efficient water management, ENOWA seeks to become a global reference for industry leaders and setting a benchmark for sustainable economic circular systems around the world.

For more information, please visit: enowa.neom.com

About Vodafone Business: Official Technology and Communication Partner
With expertise in connectivity, global scale and the leading IoT platform, Vodafone Business is a leading technology communications company helping organisations succeed in a digital world and keeping society connected. Vodafone’s purpose is to connect for a better future, enabling an inclusive and sustainable digital society, and many of its solutions have sustainability and inclusivity embedded.

Vodafone is a leading European and African telecoms company. We provide mobile and fixed services to over 330 million customers in 15 countries (excludes Italy which is held as a discontinued operation under Vodafone Group), partner with mobile networks in 45 more and have one of the world’s largest IoT platforms. In Africa, our financial technology businesses serve almost 79 million customers across seven countries – managing more transactions than any other provider.

This collaboration will see Vodafone Business leading innovations and capabilities such as 5G, MPN, IOT and MEC, integrated into Extreme E’s global operations and will include full involvement in the purpose- driven elements of the series, with special prominence on Extreme E’s Legacy Programmes and the Science Laboratory on board the St Helena. Through its IOT solutions, Vodafone Business is helping sustainability efforts, including agriculture, forestation and decarbonisation of energy grids.

Find out more on http://www.Vodafone.com/business  and follow Vodafone on its social media channels:

Twitter: @VodafoneGroup
LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/company/vodafone

About EY: Official Sustainability Partner
EY is a global leader in assurance, consulting, strategy, transactions and tax services, and already plays a significant role in working with Extreme E. Originally announcing its collaboration with the championship back in 2020, EY came on board to help Extreme E achieve its commitment to minimising its overall footprint whilst creating a positive legacy.

Whilst Extreme E strives ‘to race without a trace’, the framework provided by EY has helped the series to minimize its environmental impact across each of its remote race locations. Both prior and post-racing impact assessments have supported Extreme E to strategically plan their actions within these areas.

EY and Extreme E will work closely together to promote the five pillars of Extreme E (or “Five Es”) through the adoption of ‘XE Talks’. These informative presentations, facilitated by Extreme E’s Scientific Committee, will shed light on the Five Es, showcasing the joint commitment of EY and Extreme E.

About Symbio: Official Hydrogen Fuel Cell Provider
Symbio is a leading technology and industrial partner for sustainable mobility pioneers. A front-runner in zero-emission hydrogen mobility, Symbio combines industrial leadership, breakthrough innovation, and entrepreneurial agility to create tailor-made solutions and support its clients in the deployment of their clean mobility roadmaps. Symbio designs and manufactures a wide range of StackPacks (pre-integrated and pre-validated fuel cell systems) that meet all power, durability, and autonomy needs of on-road and off-road hydrogen mobility. 

In 2023, Symbio inaugurated SymphonHy, the largest integrated fuel cells Gigafactory in Europe, with a capacity of 50,000 fuel cell systems per year. The Group ambitions to manufacture 200,000 StackPacks annually by 2030 to accelerate the deployment of clean mobility that is respectful of both the environment and health.

An equally-owned joint venture between Forvia, Michelin, and Stellantis, Symbio combines 30 years’ experience, and has a track record of more than 8 million kilometers driven by its solutions. To learn more, visit www.symbio.one.

About Kaizen Clean Energy: Official Clean Energy Technology Provider
Kaizen Clean Energy (KCE), a manufacturer of hydrogen generators, is developing integrated solutions for electric vehicle (EV) charging, hydrogen fuelling, and distributed power for the grid and critical assets.

KCE offers its mobile microgrid to customers through an Energy as a Service contract, which eliminates large capital expenses and provides customers with the flexibility to scale with energy needs over time.

Kaizen Clean Energy will support ENOWA - NEOM’s energy, water, and hydrogen subsidiary and Green Hydrogen Power Partner to Extreme E - in delivering a pioneering hydrogen microgrid solution to the championship.

Find out more on: www.kaizencleanenergy.com.

About ALLCOT: Official Environmental Contribution Partner
Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, ALLCOT works together with communities, organizations, and governments worldwide in climate actions, to accelerate the transition to Net Zero.  ALLCOT develops Climate action through projects and solutions with triple impact: environmental, social, and economic; using four strategies:  

• Sustainability strategies: Innovative, comprehensive, and tailored solutions for businesses to reduce and compensate greenhouse gas emissions and measures the socio-economic co-benefits through the SDGs.
• Project development & implementation: Implementation of carbon projects in developing countries, rooted in community engagement, environmental stewardship, and economic viability, driven by integrity, equity, and transparency.
• Capacity building: Providing individuals and communities with practical skills and knowledge, possible to apply in their daily lives.
• Advocacy: Creating systemic change to work closely with policymakers and stakeholders to promote sustainable policies and practices at the local, national, and international levels.

Find out more on: www.allcot.com 

About Jackson Swiss Partners: Official Foreign Global Exchange Supplier
Jackson Swiss Partners, known for its lean, debt-free, and profitable business model, prioritises client protection and financial prudence above all else. With a steadfast commitment to avoiding speculative ventures and minimising risk exposure, Jackson Swiss Partners sets itself apart by offering bespoke FX hedging solutions akin to insurance policies rather than traditional trading strategies.