The first Extreme E race will be broadcast live on BT Sport 1 on 4 April

Extreme E image

BT Sport has picked up the live rights for Extreme E, which makes its debut in Saudi Arabia next month.

The broadcaster will show live coverage of all five of the sport’s X Prix races live in full, as well as race highlights on-demand. The coverage begins with the Desert X Prix from AlUla, Saudi Arabia, on 4 April on BT Sport 1 from 11am.

BT Sport is also showing Extreme E’s regular magazine show, providing behind-the-scenes access to the people and science surrounding the sport.

Drivers including Jenson Button, Jamie Chadwick, Molly Taylor, and Carlos Sainz Snr. are lined up to compete in Extreme E’s first race. The rules are that each team will field one female and one male driver in identical 550-bhp electric SUVs - known as ODYSSEY 21s – which will ensure a completely level playing field amongst competitors.

The cars and the rest of the championship’s freight will sail to each location, which is less carbon intensive than air freight. The ship carrying the vehicles – the St Helena – also has a science lab on-board, to conduct research into various areas of the marine environment during the global voyage.

Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said: “Sports broadcasting, like every industry, has a part to play in climate change and our coverage of Extreme E will be a constructive step in highlighting positive environmental messages to our customers. I know how important this is as part of BT’s ongoing efforts to become a net zero carbon business by 2045 and for BT Sport to become one of the greenest broadcasters in the UK.”

Ali Russell, chief marketing officer at Extreme E, added: “Today’s broadcast agreement with BT Sport marks another major coup for Extreme E. Apart from allowing us to bring our thrilling electric race format to even more sports fans in the UK and Ireland, BT Sport provides us with an invaluable platform to share the wider environmental and equality message behind the championship.

“Although the domestic uptake of electric vehicles is increasing, there is still work to be done to showcase the potential of EV technology. By focusing on the environment through sustainable motorsport, Extreme E hopes to encourage fans to make changes to reduce carbon emissions and slow down the climate emergency.”