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Extreme E, the electric off-road racing series, is transitioning to using hydrogen instead of batteries for the 2025 season, and today it unveiled the car it plans to use next year – when it will also change its name to Extreme H.

Extreme E is in the midst of its fourth season right now, having had the first race weekend in Saudi Arabia and with the second race weekend coming up in Scotland, July 13-14.

In the past three seasons, we’ve been treated to some pretty wild off-road racing, with powerful electric cars bouncing over desert sand dunes, glaciers, beaches, and even an old coal mine.

It’s been exciting to watch, but the series also has a sustainability message – each location is meant to highlight an ecological issue we’re all facing, and the series also does a “legacy programme” where it participates in attempting to solve some local conservation issue (e.g. mangrove or ocean seagrass preservation, wildfires, glacier melt, or so on).

To this end, the series also focuses on being sustainable in its own practices. Cars are shipped from race to race on the St. Helena, an ship converted to use more sustainable technologies and to serve as a research lab for the scientists the series partners with. And the series tries to create less waste in each of its locations, with everyone bringing their own reusable plates and silverware for example.

And since it races in remote locations, it needs to get energy from somewhere. The cars don’t just charge themselves. So the series has been using green hydrogen – made with renewable energy, as opposed to the majority of hydrogen which comes from methane gas – to charge vehicles, with large transportable fuel cells (and second life batteries for backup) bringing power to areas where the grid doesn’t reach.

So, for season 5, Extreme E is “cutting out the middle man” and just going straight from hydrogen to electric power onboard the car, instead of charging a battery with an offboard fuel cell. And here’s next season’s vehicle, which Extreme E – or rather, Extreme H, as it will be known starting in 2025 – is calling the “Pioneer 25.”

Extreme H unveils Pioneer 25 race car

The Pioneer 25 shares a lot of similarities with the outgoing Odyssey 21 car.

They both have ~400kW/550hp worth of power available, can do 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds with a top speed of ~200kph (~124mph), and can scale a slope of up to 130% (53º). So in terms of the basic specs, the cars seem quite close.

But there are a couple small differences that we can see so far. The Odyssey 21 was 2.3 meters wide, and the Pioneer 25 is 2.4 meters. The Odyssey had two “seats,” with the driver offset to the left, whereas the Pioneer seats the driver in the center.

And the biggest difference of all – Extreme E said that the Odyssey weighs 1,895kg (we’re not sure if this includes the driver or not), but it says that the Pioneer weighs 2,200kg, a 305kg (672lb) increase.

That’s a massive difference, especially for a race car, and especially if the cars have the same power available. We’re not sure how they can quote the same 0-60 time with such a weight difference and no difference in motor power (torque is not listed, but is likely the same given that battery electric (BEV) and fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV) both run on electric motors, so we’d imagine they’re carrying over the same or similar motors).

And we’re also not sure where all that weight is coming from. One of the supposed benefits of hydrogen is higher energy density, which means less need for heavy EV batteries. But an FCEV needs two more parts that a BEV doesn’t – a fuel cell stack and a high-pressure hydrogen tank. FCEV’s also have a battery to act as a buffer for the fuel cell stack, but it can be a lot smaller than on a full BEV.

But the Odyssey only had 54kWh (40kWh usable) of batteries onboard to begin with – relatively small in the scheme of EV batteries these days. Off-road racing is energy intense, but races for the series aren’t very long, so 40kWh is enough. So cutting battery size could save some weight, but not all that much.

So perhaps the Pioneer still has a relatively large battery (as larger batteries can push more power), and the additional weight of a fuel cell stack and high pressure tank – the last of which has to be pretty heavy duty to hold hydrogen, especially in the difficult racing conditions Extreme H will be racing in (a 700 bar, 4-6kg capacity tank is around 100kg – the Pioneer has a 2kg tank, but may be reinforced more for racing purposes).

Extreme H says that “overall performance of the car has taken a big step forward,” and that the suspension geometry of the car has been fully redesigned. The Odyssey also saw changes over its lifetime, changing suspension suppliers last season to FOX, and the Extreme H will also use FOX suspension.

But we’re still not sure how a car with identical power and much more weight can perform better. Let’s go ahead and put a pin in that for when we see these cars in action.

Thankfully, we’ll have a chance soon. The Pioneer 25 will go on its first public test at the Hydro X Prix in Scotland on July 13-14.

Extreme H also announced a provisional list of race locations for next year, with races in Saudi Arabia, UK, Germany, Italy, and USA.

Electrek’s Take

I think that most of our readers recognize at this point that hydrogen is not going to take off in consumer vehicles. If this series wants to push hydrogen as an idea for consumer cars, or for sportscars, it’s… probably not going to go anywhere.

However, for the race series’ specific use case, it makes some amount of sense. The series was already using hydrogen anyway, and hydrogen is a lot more portable than batteries for places with no grid. And Extreme E thinks it has made its point, demonstrated that BEVs are capable of this type of racing, and can move on to something new now.

But the fact that this move has resulted in such a huge weight gain for the cars is puzzling to me. While I have seen extremely heavy tanks on fuel cell vehicles before (e.g. the Nikola Tre FCEV class 8 truck has four tanks weighing 450lb each, a fuel cell stack and a 164kWh buffer battery, and the Honda CR-V e:FCEV is 1,000lbs heavier than the gas CR-V), you don’t normally see racing/sports cars gaining such enormous amounts of weight in the span of one generation (the 1,000+lb heavier 2025 BMW M5 notwithstanding).

So I struggle somewhat to see the point of this. Previously, Extreme E hosted awesome race events with a neat story, demonstrating environmental issues and showing a realistic and sustainable answer for transportation – BEVs. It fueled those BEVs with hydrogen through offboard stacks and tanks, leaving the weight and complexity of them behind in the paddock as the cars frolick around in the dirt.

Now, it’s hosting awesome race events with a neat story, demonstrating environmental issues and showing off… a transportation answer that demonstrably doesn’t make any sense, lumbering around carrying all this extra equipment that will never see the light of day at scale in consumer applications.

The one thing it could help to encourage is getting the green hydrogen economy going, since currently ~95% of the global supply of hydrogen comes from methane, a fossil fuel that is incredibly damaging from a climate perspective. Green hydrogen is generated by electrolysis of water via renewable energy, essentially using the hydrogen as a more portable but less efficient battery to store that renewable energy.

A green hydrogen economy could be useful if we ever come up with widespread uses for hydrogen (which could find a niche in heavy transport) – but those uses aren’t likely to come in consumer applications. And if they result in a 305kg weight penalty, I don’t really see them happening in racing applications either.

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Lectric XP4 750 and XP Lite2 e-bikes get up to $488 in FREE cargo bundles, EcoFlow 40A EV charger from $699 low, Segway EV Sale, more

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2 hours ago

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September 25, 2025

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Lectric XP4 750 and XP Lite2 e-bikes get up to 8 in FREE cargo bundles, EcoFlow 40A EV charger from 9 low, Segway EV Sale, more

Today’s Green Deals are all about EVs in their many forms, headlined by Lectric’s Ultimate Tailgating Flash Sale that is offering $488 and $399 FREE cargo bundles on the XP4 750 Folding Utility and XP Lite2 Folding e-bikes starting from $1,099. We also have EcoFlow’s PowerPulse Level 2 40A EV Charger (and bundles) starting from its $699 low, as well as Segway’s Roll into Fall Savings Sale with hundreds being taken off various EVs, including the Max G2 Electric Scooter at $800. We also have some add-on accessory deals for cars, SUVs, and trucks, as well as the continuing Early Prime Day Sales, and more waiting for you below. And don’t forget about all the hangover deals collected at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s launches of Jackery’s new Explorer 240D compact power station, the Hiboy EX9 Urban Commuter e-bike, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Prep for tailgating with these Lectric cargo bundles on XP4 750 + XP Lite2 e-bikes starting from $1,099 (Up to $488 in FREE gear)

Lectric has launched an Ultimate Tailgating Flash Sale that is offering up to $488 in free bundled gear along with purchases of the XP4 750 Folding Utility e-bikes at $1,399 shipped (getting $488 bundles), or the XP Lite2 Long-Range e-bikes starting from $1,099 shipped (getting $399 bundles). If it weren’t for the usual discounts on the brand’s bundled gear, you’d be paying $1,887 or up to $1,598 for these packages (the JW belt-drive model sits $100 higher than the rest), which are some of the largest we’ve seen to date. For the XP4 750 e-bike, specifically, you can get an in-depth take from our hands-on review here, or head below for information.

While it appears there has been some $100 price increase on these e-bikes, which may be in response to tariff hikes catching up with the company, these are still the largest bundle sizes we’ve tracked up until this sale, giving you a rear cargo rack, a fender set, steel-encased front and rear cargo baskets, a 35L soft cooler, and three cargo straps on the XP Lite2 e-bikes, while the XP4 750 e-bikes get these, as well as an upgraded LevelUp cargo rack, a suspension seat post, and an accordion-style folding bike lock.

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Lectric’s new XP4 750 e-bike as become one of my hands-down favorites in my fleet of EVs, sitting right next to the XPress 750 Commuter e-bike, with the folding design particularly handy in my NYC apartment. The 750 is upgraded for longer commuting over the standard XP4 e-bike, coming with a 750W Stealth M24 brushless gear hub motor (that peaks at 1,310W) alongside a 17.5Ah battery to provide 20/28 MPH top speeds, depending on state laws. The larger battery in the 750 model also boasts an impressive travel range of up to 85 pedal-assisted miles on a single charge. From there, Lectric has added in quite the array of continuing and upgraded features – many of which have been asked for by fans since its previous generations, like the repositioned non-drive side key location/charging port, the keyless riding functionality, hydraulic brakes, puncture-resistant mixed-terrain tires, the integrated taillight with both brake lighting and turn signals, and more, which you can learn in detail within our hands-on review.

On the flip side of this flash sale is the Lectric XP Lite2 Long-range e-bike, which come as the most lightweight of all the brand’s EVs, weighing just 49 pounds and also coming with a folding design for easier storage options. This is a great option for students, particularly, as the 300W rear hub motor (819Wh peak) and the 672Wh battery provide up to 80 miles of pedal-assisted travel at up to 20 MPH top speeds. Of course, you’re also getting some solid features too, including 20×2.5-inch slick tires with a 3mm Hippo Skin liner and pre-slimed tubes for anti-puncture resistance, hydraulic mineral oil brakes, a full color LCD screen with a USB-A port, and more.

Lectric XP4 750 Long-Range Folding Utility e-bikes with $488 bundle:

XP Lite2 Long-Range e-bike offers with $399 bundle:

You can browse the entire Lectric Ultimate Tailgating Flash Sale on the landing page here, which does see the other models getting some bundled savings, though none of those are tailored for tailgating needs like the above two models.

EcoFlow PowerPulse EV charger in garage charging EV while connected to Smart Home Panel 2 and DELTA Pro Ultra power station

EcoFlow’s PowerPulse level 2 40A EV charger integrates with home backup setups at a $699 low, bundles from $2,199

As part of its ongoing Early Prime Day Sale running up to the two-day event on October 7, EcoFlow is offering its PowerPulse Level 2 40A EV Charger at $699 shipped. This EV charging solution hit the market back in June and normally goes for $899 outside of sales, which we’ve consistently been seeing dropped to $699 in the time since. You’ll not only be getting another shot at $200 in savings at the best price we have tracked, but the unit connects to your power stations and home backup setups to provide support for your electric vehicle’s charging needs.

If you want to learn more about this EV charging station, as well as its bundle options also seeing discounts, be sure to check out our original coverage of these deals here.

man riding on Segway Max G2 Electric Scooter down railed walkway under an overpass

Save hundreds on Segway EVs starting from $350 during its Fall Savings Sale + members get bonus savings/rewards

Segway currently has a Roll into Fall Savings Sale running through September 30, which is offering up to $600 savings on its lineup of e-scooters, alongside some bonus savings through its Hit the Road Giveaway (more on this below). Amongst the bunch, folks looking for longer-traveling options can jump on Segway’s Max G2 Electric Scooter for $799.99 shipped, which also matches in price at Amazon. While it carries an insanely bloated  $1,400 MSRP direct from the brand, no one should ever pay that – this is a $1,000 scooter every day of the week on Amazon, and now you can score it with $200 savings.

Segway’s Hit the Road Giveaway is a member-only promotional savings event lasting through September 29 that starts by simply signing up for free, starting you with 300 miles on new accounts that can be redeemed for extra savings on orders or to score add-on accessories. From there, the brand provides you with several varying methods to gain more miles for further exclusive savings, which you can learn about on the landing page here.

If you want to learn more about Segway’s Max G2 e-scooter, as well as its other EV discounts, be sure to check out our original coverage of this sale here.

ROVE's R3 3-channel dash cam
BougeRV mountable carrier/bike rack attached to SUV
man sitting on Rad Power's RadRunner Cargo Utility e-bike

Best Fall EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.


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Kia is about to make charging your EV way easier

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3 hours ago

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September 25, 2025

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Kia is about to make charging your EV way easier

Kia-EV-charging-easier

Kia is making it easier than ever to charge your EV. The company is rolling out new features and more that will get you back on the road in no time.

Kia launches Plug & Charge EV charging and adds NACS

Kia is finally giving EV owners what they want: Plug & Charge capabilities. By the end of September, eligible 2025 Kia EV6 vehicles will finally gain access to the feature, and by the end of the year, the 2026 EV9 will also have access.

For those unfamiliar with Plug & Charge, the feature enables you to pay for the charging session simply by plugging in at compatible stations.

The feature eliminates the need to pull out your credit card or app to pay every time you charge. Not too bad, right?

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Eligible EV6 and EV9 owners will be able to access Plug & Charge through the Kia Connect suite of services. Kia said it will send more information to current owners when the feature is available.

Kia-EV-charging-easier
2025 Kia EV6 US-spec model (Source: Kia)

After activating the service, all you have to do is plug in at a compatible charger, which includes Tesla Superchargers and Electrify America. Your vehicle and charger will automatically recognize it’s you to initiate the charging and payment.

The billing process is secure and links your preferred payment method, enabling hands-free EV charging sessions.

Kia-EV-charging-easier
The Kia EV9 and Hyundai IONIQ 5 charging at a Tesla Supercharger (Source: Kia)

Kia is also switching to the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, starting with the 2025 EV6 and EV9. The move unlocks access to over 21,500 Tesla Superchargers across the US.

The 2025 Kia EV6 Light RWD starts at $42,900 with up to 237 miles of EPA-estimated range. Upgrading to the Long Range RWD model costs $46,200 with a driving range of 319 miles.

Kia-EV-charging-easier
The 2026 Kia EV9 (Source: Kia)

For those looking for something bigger, the 2026 Kia EV9 Light RWD has a starting MSRP of $54,900 with an EPA-estimated range of 230 miles. The Long Range EV9 starts at $57,900, with a range of 305 miles.

With the $7,500 federal EV tax credit expiring at the end of September, Kia is offering a few deals that you might be interested in. The 2025 EV6 and 2026 EV9 are available with a $5,000 Customer Cash bonus, a $1,000 loyalty/ conquest offer, and 0% APR financing for 48 months.

Want to see for yourself? You can use our links below to find Kia EV6 and EV9 models at a dealer near you today.


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Xiaomi officially sets up shop in the EU with new R&D Design Center

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4 hours ago

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September 25, 2025

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Xiaomi officially sets up shop in the EU with new R&D Design Center

Xiaomi EU

Young Chinese EV developer Xiaomi Automobile has officially expanded its global footprint, opening a new R&D and Design Center in Germany. This is Xiaomi’s first step in its planned expansion outside China and into new markets around the EU.

Today’s news of an initial office in the EU demonstrates Xiaomi Auto’s rapid growth and success. Especially when you consider that it has only been about four years since the Chinese smartphone developer announced it would also start building BEVs.

Since then, Xiaomi’s flagship SU7 sedan has hit the market, reaching 200,000 customer deliveries in China in a blistering 119 days. While Xiaomi’s immediate focus has remained focused on meeting unprecedented demand in China, company executives have hinted at expansions to new markets, including the possibility of expansion to the EU.

The Chinese automaker is no stranger to the racing world in the EU, as it quickly made a name for itself at the renowned German tracks of Nürburgring. In fact, Xiaomi’s technology impressed the Germans so much, it was invited into the exclusive “Industriepool” to conduct R&D at the track and even signed on as a long-term partner, which includes its own “Xiaomi Curve” on the Grand Prix Circuit.

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Xiaomi’s SU7 Ultra also holds the fastest lap for a production EV at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Following confirmed plans to sell its EVs in the EU, Xiaomi Automobile has opened its first facilities outside of China, in Munich, Germany.

Xiaomi EU
Source: Xiaomi Automobile

Xiaomi’s first entry into the EU begins in Munich

Per a release from Xiaomi Automobile this morning, the Chinese BEV developer has opened the “Xiaomi EV Europe Research and Development and Design Center” in Munich, Germany.

This development follows news from August 2025, when Xiaomi president William Lu confirmed the brand’s expansion plans for the EU, beginning in 2027. Per the release:

The establishment of the Munich R&D and Design Center underscores Xiaomi EV’s commitment to building a global innovation network. By leveraging world-class competencies and ecosystem, Xiaomi EV accelerates breakthroughs in intelligent driving and vehicle dynamics. This expansion of the R&D network strengthens the company’s ability to deliver vehicles that truly inspire and are renowned for their performance, whilst ensuring Xiaomi EV’s products align with global standards of safety and quality.

Xiaomi said it is committed to investing in the international talent pool and will look to bring in engineers, designers, and researchers from around the EU to collaborate with its global EV teams. The Chinese automaker also shared that the new Munich facility will be used to “foster collaborations with research institutions while forging  meaningful partnerships across industries to accelerate smart mobility solutions and  ecosystem integration while addressing infrastructure and ethical AI considerations.”


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