Extreme E, scheduled to start early 2021, is a new racing series that will challenge electric SUVs to go head-to-head in extreme off-road locations around the world, including arctic, desert, glacier, coastal, and rainforest, which have been damaged or affected by climate and environmental issues.
The five-race global challenge from the creators of Formula E was designed to highlight the impact of climate change and human interference in some of the world’s most remote locations, as well as promote the adoption of electric vehicles to help preserve the environment.
To minimize local impact, Extreme E races will not be open to spectators, with the audience instead invited to follow the action through live TV broadcast, and on social media.
Extreme E aims to be a testbed for the EV industry, and is also pioneering hydrogen fuel-cell technology, which will enable its race fleet to be charged using zero-emissions energy. This solution, from AFC Energy, will use water and sun to generate hydrogen power; this process emits no greenhouse emissions and its only by-product will be water, which will be used elsewhere on-site.
Fisker, Inc. the self-described “creator of the world’s most sustainable electric vehicles and advanced mobility solutions,” will be joining Extreme E for the start of the first championship, according to Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Extreme E.
“Creating [a] sustainable racing series is the perfect launch platform for [Fisker’s] new Ocean SUV, as well as providing a challenging testing environment for product durability,” he said.
“Alejandro brought electric vehicle racing into the mainstream with Formula E, and I fully support his vision to reinvent off-road racing at the same time as creating an education platform for the threats posed by climate change,” added Henrik Fisker, Chairman and CEO of Fisker Inc. “Extreme E and Fisker Inc. are completely aligned in our mission and values.”
With production expected to begin during 2022 Q4, the Ocean will be the first of four all-electric vehicles the company expects to bring to market by 2025. In addition to the Ocean SUV, the four-vehicle lineup will include a sports sedan based on the EMotion concept, a sports crossover, and a lifestyle pickup truck.
Each vehicle will be delivered using platforms, battery packs, and component systems from established automotive manufacturers and technology suppliers. Fisker will make its final selection on platform and manufacturing location in the coming months, consistent with the planned start of production of the Ocean.
In the aftermath of the global COVID-19 crisis, Fisker’s strategy for product development seems based in its belief that private transportation will gain traction over shared mobility, and people will be looking for vehicles that combine utility, sustainability, and affordability.
Initially, the Ocean will be launched in the U.S. and Europe. It will have 250-300 mi (400-480 km) electric range and an international CCS 2 charging plug.
Force-E (Force Electric) will be an extreme off-road package option based on the Ocean EV. The package will be available only in AWD configurations with about 400 kW. It will be equipped with an upgraded and lifted suspension, off-road spec wheels and tires, lower front protective scuff plate, roof rack with integrated lights, and power plug box that can be used to rescue other EVs that may have run out of power.
The “Force-E fortified” Ocean will carry a full-size spare tire in a deep recess in the hood panel. By placing the spare tire in this position, no compromises are made to the tailgate. This “deeply recessed” placement is possible because there is more space beneath the hood surface in the Ocean SUV to accommodate the bulk of the tire assembly, without compromising forward vision, versus under the hood, where a large off-road tire would not fit.
The vehicle will come equipped with a large drinking water tank under the hood, with a release tap in the lower front bumper, for easy access to clean drinking water in rescue situations. The Force-E package was initiated to cover market segments including rescue vehicles, military personnel movements on military bases, police vehicles, municipalities, and international organizations.
