< PreviousE xtreme E is a radical new off -road racing series that promotes electrifi cation, environment and equality. In this regard, the competition aims to highlight the impact of climate change and human interference in some of the world’s most remote locations, and therefore, promotes the adoption of electric vehicles to pave the way for a lower carbon future. The fi rst season of Extreme E will host fi ve races to highlight diff erent environments including deserts, oceans, marine ecosystems, coastal areas, tropical rainforests and glaciers. The inaugural edition of the Extreme E off - road racing series kicked off in April 2021 with the fi rst race – the Desert X Prix – involving nine teams driving all-electric SUVs was held on 3–4 April 021 in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia. In the fi rst overall ranking of the series, the Rosberg X Racing team comprising Johan Kristoff ersson and Molly Taylor leads with 35 points. Championship standings 1. Rosberg X Racing (Johan Kristoff ersson and Molly Taylor): 35 points 2. X44 (Sébastien Loeb and Cristina Gutiérrez): 30 points 3. Andretti United (Timmy Hansen and Catie Munnings): 28 points 4. ACCIONA | Sainz XE Team (Carlos Sainz and Laia Sanz): 26 points 5. Hispano Suiza XITE Energy Team (Oliver Bennett and Christine Giampaoli Zonca): 20 points 6. JBXE (Jenson Button and Mikaela Åhlin- Kottulinsky): 17 points 7. ABT Cupra XE (Mattias Ekström and Claudia Hürtgen): 13 points 8. Segi TV Chip Ganassi Racing (Kyle LeDuc and Sara Price): 12 points 9. Veloce Racing (Stéphane Sarrazin and Jamie Chadwick): 8 points Saudi Arabia, home of the world’s largest continuous sand desert, was chosen to highlight several environmental issues such as increasing temperatures, more frequent and longer periods of drought, deforestation and desertifi cation, which are all in part instigated by human behaviour and a carbon-intensive lifestyle. Following the Desert X Prix in Saudi Arabia, the Season 1 calendar includes the Ocean X Prix in Lac Rose, Senegal (29–30 May); Arctic X Prix in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland (28–29 August); the Amazon X Prix in Pará, Brazil (23–24 October); and the Glacier X Prix in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina (11–12 December). The series has devised a format likened to ‘Star Wars Pod Racing meets Dakar Rally.’ Designed to put driver performance fi rmly in focus, Extreme E X Prix weekends feature the precision and pressure of time trial qualifi cations on Day One, and short, sharp wheel-to-wheel racing action on Day Two. Every race will incorporate two laps over a total distance of approximately 18 kilometres. In a motorsport world-fi rst, teams will fi eld one male and one female driver, promoting gender equality and a level playing fi eld amongst competitors. The teams will determine which driver goes fi rst to best suit their strategy and driver order selections are made confi dentially, with competitors kept in the dark as to other teams’ choices until the last possible moment. Contests between males and females will therefore be ensured. Both drivers will complete one lap behind the wheel of the Odyssey 21 electric SUV, with a driver changeover, the ‘Switch’, included after the fi rst lap. A ‘Hyperdrive’ boost will also be available to each driver on each lap of the race. Activated when the driver presses a button on their steering wheel, they will enjoy an increase in power for a fi xed amount of time. The timing for this will be a key decision. REVERSING THE DAMAGE DONE BY SUVS Extreme E also aims to help the car industry develop future-facing technology using racing as a platform for road innovation. The race vehicle is a fully electric SUV named Odyssey 21, chosen because SUVs are the most popular model on the market, yet at the same time the most polluting and therefore the most damaging to the environment. Extreme E hopes that by racing electric SUVs and using the series as a research and development opportunity, the innovations will fi lter into the consumer market. EXTREME E RACE PROMOTES ELECTRIFICATION, ENVIRONMENT AND EQUALITY 40 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comMAY 2021 ELECTROMOBILITY41 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comMAY 2021 ELECTROMOBILITYIn order to withstand the harsh conditions, the peak 400kw (550bhp) output is capable of fi ring the 1780-kilogram, 2.3-metre wide e-SUV from 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds, at gradients of up to 130 per cent. Each vehicle comprises a common package of standardised parts, manufactured by Spark Racing Technology with a battery produced by Williams Advanced Engineering. This encompasses a niobium- reinforced steel alloy tubular frame, as well as crash structure and roll cage. The batteries are designed to withstand the extreme temperatures, conditions and terrains, and produce a maximum power output of 400 kWh (equivalent to 550bhp). Teams have been provided with identical 54kWh battery packs to be used in the fi rst two seasons of Extreme E. The tyre for the Odyssey 21 is designed by Continental Tyres to cope with all conditions, from the scorching heat to blistering cold plus muddy, sandy or icy terrains. Each team is allocated one set of tyres per race, and two used tyres from the previous race. The exterior shell of the Odyssey 21 is made from Bcomp’s natural fl ax fi bre, in a bid to be more sustainable. The two products of the shell, ampliTex and powerRibs, are made from natural fl ax fi bres which enable up to 75% per cent reduction in the carbon footprint of the vehicle from cradle to gate. NO SPECTATORS ON SITE, REMOTE BROADCAST, AND TRAVEL BY SEA Depending on the type and location of events, fans can represent 20 to 50% of the total footprint of an event when considering their transport, food and beverage and merchandising. That is why Extreme E has taken the decision to not have spectators at the races. Teams will be restricted to seven personnel on site – two drivers, one engineer and four mechanics. This also applies to to Extreme E’s remote broadcasting, which involves minimal crew on site and using satellites to enable live editing and overlays in a London studio. To minimise the carbon footprint of the series, all Extreme E equipment will travel by sea, as a less carbon-intensive equivalent to air travel. The St. Helena, a former passenger cargo ship, has undergone a major refurbishment to minimise emissions and transform her into Extreme E’s operations hub. The ship will be used to transport the championship’s freight and infrastructure, including vehicles, to the nearest port, minimising Extreme E’s footprint, as well as being used to facilitate scientifi c research through its on-board laboratory. The race vehicle in the Extreme E series is the Odyssey 21 fully electric SUV. 42 PLANT / MACHINERY / VEHICLESwww.plantmachineryvehicles.comMAY 2021 ELECTROMOBILITYConstructive. Credible. Connected Construction WeekConstruction Week is the leading industry brand delivering exclusive multimedia content that matters to the Middle East. Site Visits Experience hands-on access to the region’s construction sites through our multimedia platforms. Exclusive columns Get daily insights from the industry experts shaping the cities of the Middle East. Lists Read our comprehensive annual ranking of the Middle East’s most powerful names from the built environment. 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