Extreme E and AFC Energy announce collaboration to pioneer Zero Emission EV charging in Motorsport
AFC Energy, the leading provider of Hydrogen power generation technologies, has today announced a collaboration with Extreme E to provide zero-emissions electric vehicle (EV) charging at the world’s first all-electric international rally series. The rally championship will see teams racing bespoke off-road electric SUVs in some of the remote corners of the planet, powered by AFC Energy’s Hydrogen fuelled H-Power Charger. Extreme E will be the first event organiser to utilise Hydrogen fuel cell generators for remote charging.
The inaugural Extreme E championship series will take place throughout 2021, taking 100% electric motorsport to worldwide audience of up to 220 million viewers, with races taking place across the world. Founded by Alejandro Agag, the original founder of the Formula E series, Extreme E series 1 will see EVs race across five locations including the Arctic, the Amazon Rainforest and the coast of Senegal. The race organisers and teams aim to highlight the most important climate issues facing our planet and, through the use of 100% electric EVs and sustainable EV charging, hope to inspire people and organisations to tackle the challenges posed by the climate emergency.
The collaboration between Extreme E and AFC Energy will be a revolutionary first in international motorsport, with EVs able to charge off-grid with zero-emissions. The H-Power Charger will showcase to a global audience how hydrogen can be used as a viable alternative to dirty diesel generators to provide power anywhere and in any environment.
“This collaboration with AFC Energy is a game changer not just for Extreme E, but also to the wider sports and events industry which could also benefit greatly from using this innovative, zero emission charging technology,” said Alejandro Agag, founder and CEO of Extreme E. “In everything we do around this championship we are focussed on being sustainable and supporting the environment, whilst also being innovative. Our collaboration with AFC Energy, the leading provider of alkaline fuel cell systems providing off-grid and sustainable power generation, is a huge step in the right direction to transforming motorsport into a modern and green pastime.”
Alongside the ability to generate 100% zero-emissions, the AFC Energy Hydrogen power solution for Extreme E will also showcase the remote manufacture of “Green Hydrogen” through micro-alkaline water electrolysis powered by the sun. This Hydrogen generation solution devised by AFC Energy will enable Extreme E to fuel the H-Power systems in a 100% carbon-free way and removes the need to store and transport vast amounts of Hydrogen across the different racing locations.
“We are honoured to have been selected by Extreme E to play a part in such a world class motor racing championship,” said Adam Bond, CEO of AFC Energy. “The race highlights not only the true potential of electric vehicle SUVs in some of the harshest environments on earth, but also the need to raise public awareness of the debilitating impact climate change is having on our ecosystems.
“The H-PowerTM system will showcase to a global audience exactly how Hydrogen can be used as a viable alternative to incumbent diesel generations. This collaboration between AFC Energy and Extreme E further highlights the commitment both companies show to the environment and the delivery of a sustainable worldwide racing championship.”
About AFC Energy
AFC Energy plc is commercialising a scalable alkaline fuel cell system, to provide clean electricity for on and off grid applications. The technology, pioneered over the past twelve years in the UK, is now being deployed in electric vehicle chargers, off-grid decentralised power systems and industrial gas plants as part of a portfolio approach to the decarbonisation of local electricity needs.
About Extreme E
Extreme E is a radical new concept in racing. The series brings electric racing to some of the most remote corners of the planet to highlight the climate change challenges faced by different ecosystems, whilst showcasing the performance of all-electric SUVs in extreme conditions. Extreme E is a competitive platform for accelerating the development of electric vehicles, to help create a low-carbon future powered by renewable energy. We are committed to supporting and partnering with organisations working to restore the degraded environments in which we race, the precious ecosystems within them and the people who live there. Marking a progressive step in motor racing, Extreme E will use its platform to promote gender equality with teams fielding both a male and female driver in its races.
