Pioneer 25 becomes first hydrogen racing car to successfully pass FIA crash tests as Extreme H developments continue

The world’s first hydrogen racing series, Extreme H, has met a significant milestone as part of its development programme, as its Pioneer 25 race car has successfully passed its mandatory chassis FIA crash tests.

This marks a major milestone moment for motorsport, with the Pioneer 25 becoming the first-ever hydrogen-powered car to meet the FIA’s crash test regulations, centred around side impact and rollover safety, paving the way for the series to herald a new era for automotive technologies and innovation.

Speaking to Racer, Mark Grain, Technical Director at Extreme E, said: “I am pleased to say that the Extreme H Pioneer 25 has passed its mandatory chassis FIA crash tests with flying colours.

“We shouldn’t underestimate this. It’s the first hydrogen race car that’s met stringent FIA criteria. We’ve worked with the FIA to define these crash tests and there’s been huge collaboration in order to achieve this important milestone. No other hydrogen racing cars have gone through crash tests like we have, so that’s a big achievement.

“The chassis itself is much stronger, however we’ve added carbon composite crash structures that are sitting over the two hydrogen tanks, and also for the side impact test we’ve got composite structures either side that are energy absorbing. The hydrogen high-pressure and low-pressure systems were also fitted during the tests. The systems were pressurised for both tests, and the pressures within them were monitored as live data. That was to ensure the systems were not damaged and lost pressure.”

“I’m pleased to say that in each of the tests both high and low pressures were maintained and that’s the indication that there was no damage to the hydrogen system.”

The next significant milestone for the Pioneer 25 car is to undertake FIA resilience tests for its tanks and battery packs, before further track testing is carried out later this month and in October.

Production of the Extreme H cars for its inaugural campaign will also begin in the coming weeks, with their delivery to teams expected before the end of 2024.

Source | Photo: Media Extreme E