5 Races, 10 Teams, All Electric! FIM Launches “E-XPLORER” , Starting In 2022, The All-Electric Off-Road Moto Series.
With the target of kicking off in early 2022, the new FIM E-XPLORER series will be a world first for the level and is set to continue the growing appetite for electric motorsport.
The FIM (FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE MOTOCYCLISME), started competitions for electric powered motorcycles in circuit racing back in 2010 with the FIM E-Power International Championship. That race was the predecessor of the current MotoE series.
In recent years, the additional off-road competitions were introduced, with the FIM EBike Enduro World Cup, the FIM E-XBike World Cup and the FIM Trial-E World Cup. This latest announcement brings an all new category – E-XPLORER – racing for all electric off road 2-wheelers.
The races will endorse raising awareness, encouraging outdoors exploration while minimizing the impact on environment, with five races set to take place during the first session.
Five races are set to take place during the first season, and these will take place in a mixture of urban and natural environments across the globe, with provisional locations ranging from the United States to Switzerland.
“The FIM has long been a leader and a strong advocate of sustainability in sport, our FIM Environmental code is both extensive and seen by many others as the benchmark for delivering sustainable events, so our continued and growing commitment to integrating electric motorcycles into our existing championships has always been a natural path. However, the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup marks a significant moment on this important journey.
The FIM is proud to be part of this exciting new project and will provide all the necessary support to ensure its success during its inaugural season and long into the future during which time electric power will become a dominant player in our sport.”
Jorge Viegas, President of the FIM
Each team competing will also comprise of two riders, one male and one female, with a total of 10 teams taking part in the race. Competitors will race on two-wheel off-road motorcycles propelled by a single 100% electric motor with a max weight of 130kg.
“I have always had a vision that the future of motorsport should be electric, and that is now being realised. From where it all started with Formula E, to Extreme E, the E1 Series and now, and now E-Xplorer.
The FIM, Eric Peronnard and the highly experienced team at E-Xplorer, have big plans and names to reveal over the coming weeks and months as they prepare for next year’s inaugural event and what I have no doubt will further promote the electric revolution on two-wheels.”
Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E Holdings. (Regarded one of the pioneers of sustainable motorsport and a supporter of the new series)
The FIM will conduct a review process, to identify additional manufacturer needs, alongside a rigorous testing program which is already underway. The competitors and racing teams will be made up of a mixture of leading OEMs and existing professional race teams.
Although no details were revealed as to which OEMs were approved, it seems that the category will be suited for the likes of CAKE Kalk race, and possibly the Electric Motion Escape?
“We are long overdue a credible motorcycle series in the off-road segment and for me E-Xplorer is it. I’ve been a fan of electric bikes from the get-go – even creating the first electric motorcycle race in 2008 – and been riding them ever since they’ve been on the market; they’re quiet, better for the planet, better for racing and simply more fun! Having a platform like E-Xplorer presents the ideal opportunity for manufacturers to come onboard to showcase not only their technology but their support for the future of riding.”
Eric Peronnard, consultant to the project
“We are delighted to be making this announcement today alongside the FIM. We have seen the growing trend for electric racing and the fusion of sport and sustainability, so for us the next step was to expand that to motorcycling. In addition to creating a platform to test electric two-wheel technology, we want to challenge the current perception of motorbikes and their riders to excite the next generation, and to present a global e-mobility solution that isn’t just limited to cars.”
E-Xplorer CEO Valentin Guyonnet
Source: FIM