How Veloce Racing is helping tackle the global climate crisis

Extreme E isn’t your average motorsport. As well as delivering exhilarating races and driving exciting sporting storylines, Extreme E uses its platform as a global sport to help educate fans about the climate issues being faced by people around the world and inspire them to become part of the solution.

The ‘sport for purpose’ championship raises awareness of the climate crisis and sustainable solutions by showcasing electric motorsport in environments damaged by the climate crisis. This has proved a perfect fit for both Veloce Racing and E.ON, as we look to inspire the next generation on the need for the decarbonisation of driving and action on the climate crisis.

From melting glaciers, to deforestation and ocean degradation, the sport for purpose series educates its fans on solutions ranging from the day-to-day to the more technologically advanced. This starts with the all-electric ODYSSEY 21 vehicles that the teams race wheel-to-wheel on thrilling off-road courses, and the ethos runs throughout the championship.

Extreme E’s sustainable global travels are made possible by the St. Helena, a former cargo ship that has been transformed into a hub of operations. The ship has been specifically modified to transport everything the series needs, from the e-SUVs to the race-site infrastructure and more. This infrastructure includes green hydrogen fuel cells and second-life batteries, to power a paddock where teams are capped to just seven personnel and where fans watch on through the innovative broadcast to further cut emissions.

Like E.ON, motorsport has long been a centre for innovation, and Extreme E is leading the way to applying that same inspired work towards something greater. For all those that take part in the series, the environment takes centre stage, as the teams and drivers travel to remote locations affected by climate change or human interference.

The goal is simple: to leave these race sites, and the surrounding community, in a better position than they were found, and Extreme E’s Legacy Programmes play a crucial role in this.

Extreme E identifies impactful projects for each race location with support from its Scientific Committee, partners, local NGOs, and engagement with the community. These legacy projects remain ongoing even after the St. Helena has set sail.

Projects range from wildlife conservation in Saudi Arabia, to Mangrove planting in Senegal and a UNICEF climate change education programme in Greenland. Extreme E’s races in Sardinia saw a focus on wildfire sensors and the planting of a “bee forest”; the first of its kind on the Italian island, and in Chile the series reintroduced Loa water frogs as part of its positive impact in the area.

Molly commented: “The education component of what they're doing here is so important because it's highlighting the problems, [and] highlighting what the solutions can be. Maybe [people] are not going to watch the National Geographic and watch a documentary about climate change and how they can help, but they might want to watch racing. And then through that learn how they can be part of the solution. Once you know, it's very hard not to do something. So, I think that this is powerful."

Here at E.ON, we’re campaigning, promoting, and delivering solutions for a more sustainable future, and our collaboration with Veloce Racing will continue to push the boundaries around sustainable innovation and equality within our respective industries, drawing on the many positives of Extreme E.