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FIA World Rallycross Championship Goes Electric from 2021

Over the past ten years, we’ve gotten used to seeing electric cars on our roads but, despite several attempts, electric cars racing has so far failed to capture the imagination of spectators in equal measure. FIA believes that will change soon.
This could be a common sight on world circuits from 2021 (rendering of a rally Tesla Model X) 1 photo
Photo: Budget Direct
At the moment, there are a number of racing series dedicated to electric cars, the most prominent of them being Formula E. Until now, the more demanding series the likes of the Rallycross Championship avoided venturing into this world.

That will change from 2021, as FIA has decided to greenlight the use of electric cars in the competition. And not in a separate series, but in the same one currently occupied by ICE cars.

FIA calls this move part of its electrification plans. More precisely, from 2021, it will allow supercars equipped with “a common battery and powertrain kit” to race right along ICE cars, provided they meet two basic standards.

First, the electric powertrain should develop an amount of power between 540 and 680 bhp. Secondly, they should meet all of the organization’s Balance of Performance (BoP) requirements.

If that’s the case, at least in the first year of the planned four-year cycle of Rallycross, EV will go head-to-head with ICE on world circuits.

Aside from this mixing of car types, FIA will also launch an entry-level monotype electric category called eRX Junior. This one will be dedicated to four-wheel-drive electric cars developing up to 340 bhp. In its first season, the eRX Junior will comprise six European events.

To get things moving, FIA announced on Monday (July 8) that it is expecting offers from the companies who wish to supply the electric powertrains. As per FIA, “manufacturers’ involvement will continue to be possible through the support of teams.” A charging partner is also being asked to come forward.

Manufacturers who want to partner with FIA have until August 31 to submit their offers, so we’ll have a pretty good idea how the future of Rallycross will look like pretty soon.
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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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