How E.ON Next Veloce Racing Kevin Hansen is Supporting Extreme E’s Legacy Programmes

Kevin Hansen and Extreme E’s Legacy Programmes

Kevin’s debut in the series was in Senegal, and in 2022 he volunteered to return to Lac Rose alongside others from the championship to see how the Legacy Programme had developed and further support the local community against the effects of climate change and plastic pollution.

E.ON Next Veloce Racing works with Extreme E and the other championship teams to shine a spotlight on sustainable solutions, showcasing electric SUVs going wheel-to-wheel in locations damaged by climate change or human intervention.

From melting glaciers to wildfires to deforestation, Extreme E informs its fans of innovative solutions, ranging from small day-to-day changes to getting involved in larger projects. For the championship, these projects come in the form of its Legacy Programmes. The goal of these initiatives is to leave race sites, and the surrounding community, in better condition than when they were found as part of a positive and sustainable legacy.

As both E.ON Next and Veloce look to inspire the next generation by helping to educate about the environment and encourage climate action, the E.ON Next Veloce Racing team dedicates itself to as many of Extreme E’s Legacy Programmes as possible, using the global platform to reach audiences for a greater purpose.

E.ON Next has a mission to make sustainable energy and everyday solutions available for all – such as providing renewable electricity for EVs along with charging points in homes, businesses and cities across the UK and Europe.

Having been a part of the championship since it’s second-ever race in May 2021, E.ON Next Veloce Racing driver Kevin Hansen has played a committed part in nearly all the championship’s Legacy Programmes.

Kevin Hansen and Extreme E’s Legacy Programmes

Kevin’s debut in the series was in Senegal, and in 2022 he volunteered to return to Lac Rose alongside others from the championship to see how the Legacy Programme had developed and further support the local community against the effects of climate change and plastic pollution.

For its Senegal Legacy Programme, Extreme E continues to work with the EcoZone Project, TO.org and Oceanium as part of an expansive effort. From planting mangroves to extensive beach cleans, the series continues to support each of these initiatives.

The goal of the EcoZone Project is to build a sustainable community while empowering self-sufficiency and economic autonomy. The region of Niaga, which is located just five kilometres from the site of Season 1’s Ocean X Prix, is home to over 3,000 children who are now being educated about sustainable farming techniques and plastic pollution.

In addition to clearing areas of litter, the EcoZone Project has also introduced a new recycling technique - the EcoBrique. These are plastic bottles filled with dry and non-recyclable waste, mainly post-consumer plastics, which can be used as a building material.

Extreme E’s work in Senegal goes even further, as the sport for purpose series has committed to planting one million mangroves in association with TO.org and local NGO Oceanium. The project will cover 60 hectares with the aim of tackling erosion, storm damage, and providing habitats for wildlife, all while educating the local population and providing employment.

Alongside the championship, Kevin played his own part in the planting of two more hectares of mangroves during the return trip to Senegal.

Kevin Hansen said: “It had been exactly a year and going back to the exact place where we were planting, we could really see the difference and how quickly the mangroves were growing and taking carbon out of the air. It was super fascinating.”

Extreme E’s inaugural season also featured the first international sporting event to take place in the Arctic Circle. Alongside returning to Senegal, Kevin also went back to Greenland in 2022 with the championship to check in on the series’ ongoing Legacy Programme there.

The melting of Greenland’s ice sheet presents one of the greatest threats to sustainable sea levels, with many scientists predicting that a complete melting of the one-million-year-old ice cap could lead to a seven-metre sea level rise over the next 350 years.

Extreme E’s work in Greenland includes the collecting of ice samples, alongside community projects such as the installation of solar panels outside of the school gates in partnership with XITE ENERGY Racing and myenergi, as well as helping implement climate into the curriculum in Greenlandic so it was accessible to all.

Another key aspect of the Legacy Programme came in the form of electric go karts presented to the school in collaboration with the Danish Automobile Sports Federation. During his visit to Kangerlussuaq, Kevin led a workshop on climate change and coached the students as they competed in their sustainably powered go karts.

Kevin Hansen said: “I remember the first time I was in Greenland; I was really shocked. It's something that brings back a lot of emotions I think, because it really affected me last time I was in Greenland.

“It's a beautiful location. To do a race in the region, raise awareness for climate change and the melting ice sheets, and then to come back and see that it's like we were never even there, is amazing."

“I think that's hugely important to remember, that we don't come to these places to make a mess and just do it for good action. We come to these locations to make a difference.”

You can find out more about how E.ON Next and E.ON Next Veloce Racing are working together today to create a more sustainable tomorrow, here.