Launched in 2021, Extreme E set out to be more than a racing series — it aimed to put motorsport directly in front of the climate crisis by racing electric off-road buggies in remote, environmentally affected locations.
How the Series Worked
Mixed-gender teams shared driving duties across each event, racing identical electric buggies on rugged terrain in locations including Saudi Arabia, Greenland and Sardinia, with races often built around raising awareness of local environmental issues.
Notable Teams and Drivers
- Lewis Hamilton’s X44 team, champions in 2022
- World Rally and rallycross stars competing alongside newer talent
- A rotating global calendar highlighting different climate stories each season
The Transition to Extreme H
After a disrupted 2024 season and a farewell event in Saudi Arabia in October 2025, the series formally passed the torch to Extreme H, a hydrogen-powered off-road championship set to become an FIA World Championship from 2026.
Part of a Wider Motorsport Shift
Extreme E’s electric roots connect it to the broader shift covered in our Formula E race calendar guide, while its off-road heritage links to the extreme conditions of the Dakar Rally.
Racing in Remote Locations
Because events were staged in places already affected by environmental change, logistics were a major challenge for every race weekend, with equipment shipped by cargo vessel rather than flown in, in an effort to reduce the series’ own environmental footprint wherever possible.
Broadcast coverage often included documentary-style segments on the local environmental issue at each venue, blending racing action with awareness-focused storytelling.
Conclusion
Extreme E may have wrapped its final season, but its legacy lives on through Extreme H, carrying forward the same mission of pairing motorsport with environmental awareness — now powered by hydrogen instead of batteries.