In the journey towards a sustainably-driven future, motorsports seem to have jumped on board too. Electric motorsports are becoming more popular by the day, and for good reason.
Each governing body of respective sports have started making their efforts to promote sustainability and reduce their overall carbon footprint, with the 2024 Paris Olympics being dubbed as the ‘greenest Olympics ever’.
Motorsports didn’t leave this aspect behind either; in fact, they might just be at the forefront of the revolution.
Listed below are 5 electric motorsports taking the world by storm.
Formula E was officially launched in 2014, after former president of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), Jean todt and Spanish businessman Alejandro Agag conceived and presented the idea in 2011.
Taken as a step towards reducing carbon emissions in motorsports and promoting sustainable mobility, Formula E World Championship had 86 million viewers in the 2024 season.
The inaugural season of World RX commenced in 2014, but the electric switch occurred in 2022 as a means to promote sustainability. The electrification was well-received due to shorter distances of rally races and the instantaneous torque EVs generally produce.
However, since 2024, FIA brought back ICE vehicles to the championship, making World RX the only motorsport where both ICE and electric cars are pitted against each other.
Extreme E was launched as an FIA-led project in 2018, quickly garnering attention from motorsport enthusiasts and drivers, with Lewis Hamilton, Nico Roseberg and Jenson Button registering their own teams under the format.
A series made to highlight the importance of climate change, the race takes place in remote parts of the world that have been affected by environmental changes. The off-road format has the tagline ‘Race for the Planet’ for the same reason.
Moto E is the electric counterpart of the popular MotoGP, which had its inaugural season in 2019. Formerly known as Moto E World Cup, it received world championship status in 2023. All bikes used are now made by the Italian superbike maker, Ducati.
Covering 35 kilometres (8 laps), the format intends to test track prowess of electric bikes along with the riders’ endurance. This is also a sign that Ducati, the Ferrari of bikes, will be releasing their own line of electric superbikes in the future.
Perhaps the most interesting sustainable race of all, the E1 series is the first electric boat race championship approved by the Union Internationale Motonautique – the governing body of motorboat racing.
The aim of this format is to bring sustainable practices to marine transport as well, with chargers being installed at the venue of the race. With the first race being introduced in February 2024, this is the newest addition in the world of electric motorsports.
The Man Behind the Electric Shift in Motorsports
While the gaining popularity of electric motorsports can be attributed to many key tech developments, Alejandro Agag is seen as the pioneer of this notable transition.
Former politician, businessman Alejandro Agag is the co-founder of Formula E, the first ever fully electric motorsport series. The success of the series proved that electric motorsports could be exciting, viable and commercially attractive.
Agag then went on to conceptualise and co-found Extreme E as well as bring attention to the sustainable practices of existing motorsports like Formula 1.
Currently, he serves as the CEO of Extreme E and the Chairman of Formula E and E1 Series. As one of the most influential figures in shaping electric motorsports, Alejandro Agag helped shift the narrative around electric racing from niche to mainstream.
Also Read: Why Do EVs Accelerate Faster?
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