BREAKING: FIA signs multi-year deal with Extreme H for world’s first hydrogen-powered World Cup
The FIA has signed a multi-year agreement with Extreme H to create the first hydrogen-powered World Cup in motorsport, confirming the series’ status as the next major global off-road championship.
The new FIA Extreme H World Cup will kick off later this year, starting in Saudi Arabia, with the exact locations and dates to be announced tomorrow, 17 September.
Hydrogen at the heart of the series
Extreme H will use hydrogen fuel cell technology not only to power the cars, but also to run the paddock, broadcast operations and hospitality.
The series is pitched as a real-world showcase for hydrogen’s potential, aiming to attract investment in refuelling infrastructure and accelerate clean energy adoption in the wider automotive sector.
The move to hydrogen-powered vehicles builds on Extreme E’s four-season transition to hydrogen power – starting with fuel cells charging the batteries in its first season and ending with 80% of its event operations running on hydrogen by Season 4.
FIA’s backing
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the deal showed the governing body’s support for hydrogen as a key part of motorsport’s future: “The FIA is committed to supporting competitions that set new benchmarks for sustainability, innovation, and equality.
“This agreement for the FIA Extreme H World Cup demonstrates our belief in hydrogen’s potential as a key part of motorsport’s evolution.”
Alejandro Agag, founder and CEO of Extreme H, called it “a landmark moment for Extreme H and the future of hydrogen racing.”
Level playing field
Like Extreme E, each team will run one male and one female driver – making Extreme H just the second international four-wheel motorsport competition to mandate mixed-gender driver line-ups.
The aim, the FIA and Extreme H said, is to open doors for more women to compete at the highest level.
Extreme H already claims broadcast coverage in 180 markets, aiming to engage both motorsport fans and new audiences with its mix of off-road racing, tech focus, and gender-equal format.
