Scottish Hydrogen To Power UK’s First Extreme-E Electric Rally

PlusZero pioneers Scottish hydrogen at Jurassic X Prix on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast 

A Scottish clean power start-up has provided green hydrogen to help power the UK’s first electric SUV rally taking place in Dorset this weekend (18/19 December), in a major boost for Scotland’s growing green hydrogen economy. 

Hebrides-based PlusZero - supported by technical partner Logan Energy, based at Wallyford in East Lothian - has provided the green hydrogen to fuel Jurassic X Prix operators Extreme E's fuel cell charging system for the rally’s electric SUVs, in a UK-first supply agreement for the burgeoning green hydrogen sector.

PlusZero, launched earlier this year by founder David Amos, aims to decarbonise the outdoor events sector through the supply and deployment of green hydrogen - and has already used its portable power at a series of successful net-zero events at Edinburgh’s International Festival and COP26 during 2021. The delivery to Extreme-E marks PlusZero’s first commercial supply agreement for Scotland-produced green hydrogen. 

Green hydrogen is produced from renewable electricity which splits water into green hydrogen and oxygen. The Scottish Government has ambitions for Scotland to be at the forefront of the European hydrogen sector and PlusZero aims to play a leading role in making that a reality.

The Jurassic X Prix race will take place at Bovington British Army military base, marking the end of Extreme E’s first season. In 2021, Extreme E has raced electric vehicles in Saudi Arabia (Desert X-Prix), Senegal (Ocean X-Prix) and Greenland (Arctic X-Prix) in an effort to raise awareness for climate change issues and showcase the performance and benefits of low carbon vehicles.

Founder and Managing Director of PlusZero, David Amos, said:

“I am delighted that PlusZero has been able to pioneer Scottish green hydrogen at this globally significant sporting event, and hugely grateful to Extreme E and our hydrogen technology specialists Logan Energy for their determination to showcase the true potential of green hydrogen in this UK-first event. 

“Formula One World Champions including Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Jenson Button each have their own Extreme E teams - so to put Scottish innovation on the map by providing the zero-carbon power for these events is a huge boost to Scotland’s growing green hydrogen economy. 

“Having demonstrated our zero-emissions portable power solution at the Edinburgh International Festival, COP26 and Jurassic X Prix this year, I am confident that PlusZero will play a major role in making Scotland a future world leader in green hydrogen technology. We are excited to continue our journey into 2022 with our ready-to-go solutions to decarbonising the outdoor events sector.”

Bill Ireland, CEO of Logan Energy said: “What better way to symbolise the upcoming extinction of the fossil-fuelled combustion engine than by holding this race on the Jurassic Coast?

“We are seeing growing commitment to conserving our environment across many sectors, including the transport industry. Hydrogen offers a safe and efficient clean energy solution for any vehicle, and Scottish businesses are fast becoming world-leaders in this industry. The team at Logan Energy is working hard to help modernise the field of motorsport and align it to our shared decarbonisation goals.

 “As any race driver knows, when you see green, you go for it. It’s great to see the motorsport industry join the race to net zero by choosing hydrogen.”