Prince Albert captains Extreme E’s hydrogen Pioneer 25 through Monaco
If you’re a head of state looking to make an entrance, there are options. Helicopters? Predictable. Rolls-Royces? Overdone.
His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco took a different approach.
To open the Monaco Hydrogen Forum, the Prince opted for something special – something even the valet at the Monte Carlo Casino wouldn’t move to the multistorey on the other side of town.
He turned up in the Pioneer 25 – the zero-emission, hydrogen-powered racer from Extreme E.
But this wasn’t your typical ribbon-cutting affair.
Prince Albert, with some pre-drive tuition from British rally star Catie Munnings, piloted the sleek single-seater from the Prince’s Palace to the Hotel Hermitage, navigating Monaco’s iconic streets – more accustomed to Formula One and Formula E royalty than hydrogen prototypes.
It was a moment steeped in symbolism and one that sent a clear message: the future of clean mobility is right here.
A monarch with a mission
Prince Albert isn’t new to environmental advocacy, but this was a statement on wheels.
Reflecting on the drive, he didn’t mince his words, saying: “Hydrogen represents an important pathway to a sustainable future, offering solutions to reduce emissions across multiple sectors.”
Not content with platitudes, he made it personal, saying: “It was my pleasure to be one of the first to try out this remarkable race car, here in Monaco, a country which is proud to host the most iconic racing across Formula One and Formula E.
“As Extreme H showcases, innovation in motorsport can be a driving force for global progress, inspiring action far beyond the racetrack.”
It’s safe to say, when Monaco’s ruler takes hydrogen tech for a spin, people pay attention.
Meet the Pioneer 25 hydrogen car from Extreme E
The Pioneer 25 is a rolling lab experiment with 550 horsepower.
Designed by Spark Racing Technology (the same boffins who make the Formula E cars) and powered by a 75kW hydrogen fuel cell courtesy of Symbio, it’s a beast with a conscience.
Some highlights:
- Acceleration: Rockets itself from 0-100kph (0-62mph) in 4.5 seconds.
- Climbing ability: Can scale gradients of 130%, perfect for those tricky mountain ascents… or Monaco’s gentle 13%.
- Weight: 2200kg (2.2 tonnes), with a fully-balanced geometry that’s as wide as it is commanding at 2.4 metres.
The fuel cell wizardry powers the battery pack, which powers the electric motors, with the whole system having been through the testing equivalent to three racing seasons (that’s around 2,000 hours).
It’s fast, it’s clever, and crucially, it doesn’t emit a speck of CO₂.
Hydrogen in motorsport
Extreme E is rebranding to Extreme H and launching officially in 2025.
Created by Alejandro Agag, the mastermind behind Extreme E (and Formula E), it’s a series designed to show off hydrogen’s potential in a way that’s progressive, fast, and impossible to ignore.
Agag himself had to say: “Prince Albert II’s leadership in environmental causes inspires us all.
“His support for Extreme H reinforces the message that hydrogen innovation can unlock solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.”
No pressure then.
As the host of the Monaco Hydrogen Forum, the Principality is angling for a title beyond “home of the rich and famous”.
John Rossant, head of the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance, summed it up, saying: “The steadfast support of His Serene Highness for the work of the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance has been vitally important and underscores the Principality’s emergence as a global hub of activity around renewable hydrogen.”
In other words, Monaco isn’t only about yachts anymore – the hydrogen tech is taking over.
The hydrogen-powered Pioneer 25 embodies the very real potential of clean energy to transform everything from motorsport to everyday mobility.
Hydrogen cars might just rewrite the script for the future of driving.
And if that future involves casually piloting a zero-emission race car down Monaco’s streets? Count us in.
