Why All Motorsports Will Go Electric Soon

Photo by Matt Seymour on Unsplash

Motorsports, which encompasses a variety of sports that involve the use of motorized vehicles, is on the cusp of a major shift as more and more events begin to embrace electric propulsion. This transition is being driven by a combination of factors, including concerns about the environmental impact of traditional internal combustion engines and the increasing availability of electric vehicles (EVs) with the performance and range needed to compete in these high-stakes competitions.

One of the first major motorsports events to make the switch to electric was the Formula E racing series, which was launched in 2014. Formula E features open-wheel race cars that are powered exclusively by electricity, and the series has quickly gained popularity among fans and attracted top-tier automakers like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.

Other forms of motorsports are also starting to make the transition to electric. The MotoE World Cup, which features motorcycle racing, was launched in 2019 and features all-electric bikes. And in 2020, the Extreme E off-road racing series was announced, which will feature electric SUVs competing in remote locations around the world to draw attention to the impacts of climate change.

One of the key challenges in transitioning to electric motorsports is ensuring that the vehicles have the performance and range needed to compete at the highest levels. However, electric technology has come a long way in recent years, and many of the top EV models on the market today have ranges of over 300 miles on a single charge and can go from 0 to 60 mph in under 4 seconds.

In addition to the environmental benefits, the switch to electric motorsports also has the potential to bring significant cost savings. The cost of fueling and maintaining traditional internal combustion engines can be significant, while electric vehicles are much cheaper to operate.

As the technology continues to improve and the infrastructure needed to support electric vehicles expands, it seems likely that we will see an increasing number of motorsports events making the switch to electric in the coming years. This transition will not only help to reduce the environmental impact of these high-energy sports, but it will also help to drive innovation and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in the broader market.