In an unexpected and shock move, the FIA has confirmed that its showcase premier World Rallycross Championship, World RX, will switch to electric power from its 2020 season.
The FIA confirmed the news today by launching a tender process for the supply of a new four-wheel drive battery system that will be used by all competitors. According to the tender, the initial supply will be for four years, from 2020 to 2023.
“The FIA’s objective is to switch the FIA World Rallycross Championship to electric cars as from 2020,” the tender states. “The aim of Electric Rallycross is to allow the development of electric technologies and race for the efficiency of the traction chain of the car, to showcase that electric cars are as fun and powerful as thermal [combustion engined] ones.
“In order to maintain cost control with a high level of technology, the FIA is defining a battery pack that all car manufacturers will have to use in their cars which are then delivered to competitors.”
The potential for a move to electric power was originally raised last October when World RX said it was engaged in wide-ranging discussions over its future direction after French automotive manufacturer Peugeot committed its future to the motor racing series, while US carmaker Ford opted to withdraw.
But IMG, who promote the series as the commercial rights holder, said they were still “fully engaged” with the current competitors regarding a finalised future vision of when the series may or may not introduce electric powered World RX cars. Series managing director Paul Bellamy went on to state that any introduction of electric power would not happen before 2020 at the earliest!
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