TNW Backstage dives into the debate over sustainable motorsport

This week on TNW Backstage, we're heading into the fast lane — and straight into the climate debate.

In the final episode of the podcast, we revisit a divisive bet on sustainable motorsport: Extreme E, the all-electric racing series.

The events sent SUVs hurtling through some of the planet's most fragile ecosystems. Supporters said they raised awareness about environmental issues, while detractors called it a classic case of greenwashing.

At last year's TNW Conference, we were guided through the twists and turns by Ali Russell, then the managing director of Extreme E. In his talk, Russell laid out his vision for fighting climate change through high-octane racing. He pitched it as both a testing ground for EV innovation and a global platform for environmental advocacy.

The results? Mixed. While Extreme E broke new ground in EV performance and gender equity, critics poured scorn on its sustainability claims.

At TNW Conference 2025, we'll continue unpacking the tension between sustainability and innovation — especially in the future of mobility. Here's a sample of what's on the agenda:

  • The Road Ahead: Driving Innovation and Sustainability with former F1 driver Robert Doornbos
  • Green Growth: Funding and Scaling Businesses for a Sustainable Future with Skytree and VS Particle
  • Disrupting the Food Chain: AgriTech's Role in Feeding the Future with Open Food Chain and Lumo Labs
  • Innovation at Scale with Ferrari's Chief Research and Development Officer

As for Extreme E, the series has now rebranded as Extreme H — the first hydrogen-powered off-road racing championship. Want to hear what led to the pivot? Then listen to TNW Backstage on Spotify, on our dedicated podcast site, or via the media player at the bottom of this article.

Catch up on TNW Backstage

We created TNW Backstage to take you behind the scenes of TNW Conference — and the tech shaping our world. The six-part series is now complete, but you can still catch up on any missed episodes.

  • In our debut episode, we explored data privacy and Meta's controversial “pay or consent” model with Ron de Jesus, the world's first Field Chief Privacy Officer
  • Episode two featured comedy creator Derek Mitchell and TNW co-founder Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten on the power of humour in tech
  • Our third episode dove into brain-computer interfaces with MindAffect CEO Jennifer Goodall
  • Episode four examined the future of personal audio with Xander de Buisonjé, a musician and the founder of Breggz
  • Our penultimate episode discussed the evolution of e-commerce with Aron Gelbard, co-founder and CEO of Bloom & Wild — the UK's top-rated online flower delivery company

To thank you for listening, we're also offering an exclusive discount on tickets for TNW Conference, which takes place in Amsterdam on June 19 and 20. You'll find the offer hidden in each episode of TNW Backstage.

Thanks for reading — and now, for listening too.

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