DUBAI: In 10 days, AlUla in Saudi Arabia will witness the launch of a motorsport series that is aiming to raise awareness of the impact of global climate change.
The inaugural Extreme E “Desert X Prix” on April 3-4 will feature electric SUVs competing across the Saudi desert landscape — the first of five taking place around the world in extreme environments already damaged or affected by climate and environmental issues.
Here is all you need to know about the new series.
A GUIDE TO EXTREME E
The car
Each Extreme E team will field one of the championship’s cutting-edge bespoke Odyssey 21 E-SUVs. The battery-electric, 400kw (550hp) vehicle is capable of firing from 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds, at gradients of up to 130 percent.
The teams and drivers
Ten teams will compete — all featuring male and female drivers — and boasting a star-studied line-up. Team investors include Lewis Hamilton, Nico Roseburg, Jenson Button, Michael Andretti and Chip Gnassi. Meanwhile, the driver line-up features Button, W Series Champion Jamie Chadwick, X Games medalist Sara Price, rally legends Sebastien Loeb and Carlos Sainz, plus Christine Giampaoli Zonca.
The format
Each X Prix Race Weekend will include two days of racing, with male and female drivers competing on a level playing field. Each race is two laps — one driven by the female and one driven by the male. Each team races twice on Saturday, in qualifying 1 and qualifying 2. The Sunday will feature semifinal 1 and semifinal 2 (Crazy Race) together with the final.
The fuel
Extreme E is also pioneering hydrogen fuel cell technology, which will enable its race fleet to be charged using zero emission energy — one full battery charge per day for each team. This innovative solution from AFC Energy uses water and sun to generate hydrogen power. Not only will this process emit no greenhouse emissions, its only byproduct will be water, which will be utilized elsewhere on-site.
All SUVs were transported to Saudi Arabia on board RMS St. Helena, a journey 100 times less carbon intensive than air freight.
The schedule
Each destination will highlight a different environmental issue, beginning with Saudi Arabia — desertification. Other races will feature Senegal (rising sea levels), Greenland (melting ice cap), Amazon (deforestation) and Patagonia (glacial recession).
The full schedule is:
Desert X Prix: AlUla, Saudi Arabia
April 3-4, 2021
Ocean X Prix: Lac Rose, Senegal
May 29-30, 2021
Arctic X Prix: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
Aug. 28-29, 2021
Amazon X Prix: Para, Brazil
Oct. 23-24, 2021
Glacier X Prix: Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Dec. 11-12, 2021
How to follow the action
To minimize local impact, Extreme E races will not be open to spectators, with fans instead invited to follow the action through live TV broadcast on KSA Sports and MBC, and across social media via @SAMF_GOV, @GSAKSA and @ExtremeELive.
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