Extreme H’s Hydrogen Fuel Cell Breakthrough Sets Stage for Emission-Free Racing

Extreme H, the world’s first hydrogen-powered off-road racing series, just hit a major milestone on its journey to clean energy. In May 2025, the UK-based championship successfully tested its brand-new Hydrogen Power Unit (HPU2) at Siemens Energy’s facilities in Newcastle, United Kingdom.

HPU2: A Serious Step Up in Hydrogen Power

Created by British clean energy company GeoPura and rolled out with the help of Power Logistics, the next-gen HPU2 doesn’t just outdo its older sibling—it leaves it in the dust. With an output of 500 kW of zero-emission electricity, it’s five times more powerful than the original version. Thanks to its modular build and a removable external battery, it can work solo or as part of a hybrid setup, making it incredibly versatile. It’s also sleeker and lighter, engineered for quick deployment—perfect for off-grid and high-demand environments.

Andy Welch, Global Hydrogen Development Manager at Extreme H, put it best: “Everything from race control to catering at our events will be running without a single emission.” And he’s not exaggerating—each HPU2 can run continuously for 24 hours and power up to 1,200 average UK homes. That’s some serious energy muscle.

On Track Toward Net-Zero Motorsport

What fuels the HPU2? Nothing but green hydrogen, exclusively sourced from Saudi Arabia’s ENOWA. From production to usage, emissions are zero—period. The successful test run in May confirms this system is race-ready, just in time for the highly anticipated launch of the FIA Extreme H World Cup in late 2025.

But Extreme H isn’t just using hydrogen to make cars go fast. This tech powers entire race weekends—proving hydrogen can handle high-energy needs sustainably. It’s more than motorsport; it’s a living blueprint for a sustainable energy future.

Real-World Potential: Hydrogen Tech Beyond the Racetrack

The HPU2 isn’t just for the podium. Its success in tough, real-time conditions means it’s ready to go mainstream. Here’s where we could start seeing it pop up:

• Music festivals and live events that need powerful, off-grid energy sources
• Construction sites with portable electricity demands
• Broadcast crews working from remote or rugged locations

Its higher energy output and lower deployment costs make it a smart, scalable solution for industries looking to slash emissions without compromising performance.

Under the Hood: Meet the Pioneer 25 Hydrogen Race Car

The star of the show, the Pioneer 25, brings hydrogen to the racetrack in style. Built to FIA safety and performance standards, this beast runs on a 400 kW (550 hp) dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup, powered exclusively by a fuel cell. It’s quick, powerful, and its only tailpipe emission is pure water vapor.

It also continues motorsport’s proud tradition of being a testing ground for tomorrow’s clean tech—just like Formula E once did for electric vehicles. What’s tested and proven on the track often finds its way into the real world.

Why This Matters

• The HPU2 test proved that a hydrogen-powered racing infrastructure is more than just a dream—it’s ready for prime time.
• This isn’t limited to racing. HPU2 tech is perfectly suited for anything that needs mobile, high-powered, zero-emission technology.
• ENOWA’s green hydrogen keeps the entire operation emission-free, start to finish.
• Extreme H isn’t just cleaning up cars. It’s redesigning every part of race operations with sustainability in mind.

Hydrogen’s Big Move Into Motorsports

Extreme H is walking the same path as Extreme E and Formula E before it—using motorsport as a launchpad for innovation. But hydrogen brings something new to the table. With quicker refueling and better performance under heavy loads, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are perfectly suited for the demanding world of racing—and beyond.

The Bigger Picture

Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about race day glory. It’s a real-world example of how hydrogen fuel cell technology can power entire systems, not just vehicles. From noisy, energy-hungry events to off-grid construction zones, zero-emission technology like this could be the future blueprint for a cleaner, more resilient world.

https://www.fiaextremeh.com/