Australia’s XE Sports Group will enter Extreme E in 2023, becoming the first Asia-Pacific-based team to enter the series.
The outfit is the impact sports division of EVDirect, the distributors of BYD passenger vehicles within Australia and New Zealand, and will use its entry in the series to promote BYD’s line of affordable luxury electric vehicles, as well as to promote EVs in the Asia-Pacific region.
Drivers are yet to be confirmed, but team representatives have been in Monaco on Monday to sign their contract with Extreme E aboard the St. Helena – XE’s ‘floating paddock’ and logistics ship.
“Since its inception, Extreme E has demonstrated to be a major drawcard for both extreme racing and climate awareness plus diversity, which aligns perfectly with the XE Sports Group’s focus of raising awareness of global climate and social challenges with the ability to make a real impact at the ground, local level,” said Luke Todd, director of the XE Sports Group.
“Our investment and participation in Extreme E will enable us to showcase BYD’s high quality, affordable luxury vehicles and raise awareness within Australia and wider Asia Pacific Region of the benefits of electric vehicle technology.”
The team’s goals extend beyond promoting electromobility, however, with it set to engage in its own take on Extreme E’s vital Legacy Programs. Nevertheless, it’s looking to be competitive right away.
“XE Sports Group will be bringing our own climate science and legacy program to Extreme E to complement the existing Extreme E programme with XE Sports Group to roll out an Asia Pacific Foundation with the mission to reduce poverty and increase living standards through the adaption of technology such as 2nd life lithium battery deployment combined with solar capture in remote or impoverished locations,” said Todd.
“Competitively, we are joining Extreme E to race and win. We will be delivering a world-class racing package and eagerly await to line up against the likes of the X44, Rosberg X Racing, and JBXE teams as well as the rest of the top-class field. Australians are renowned for overachieving in the sports arena, and we aim for nothing less in Extreme E. We will be racing for the planet and racing to win.”
One of the team’s supporters is ex-Premier League soccer player Tim Cahill, who said he was “really excited to be a part of this team”.
“The combination of thrilling, competitive racing and leaving a lasting, positive impact makes the sport totally unique,” said the former Everton player. “We look to bringing a significant new audience to Extreme E from within the millions of football fans across the world.”
The XE Sports Group is the second team to enter Extreme E after its first season following McLaren’s entry into this year’s season two.
“We extend a huge, warm welcome to Luke and the XE Group to Extreme E, and we can’t wait to see how the team performs in its racing debut,” said Extreme E founder and CEO Alejandro Agag. “Not only that but it is a great to see the goals of the team so closely reflecting our own in terms of climate and community impact, and we are very excited about the possibilities we have together in these shared purposes.
“The grid is really filling up now and it’s great to have our first Asian Pacific team involved. This championship is growing and the countdown to season three starts now!”
