World RX reignites plan for 2021 electric switch

A “revised roadmap for the Electrification of the FIA World Rallycross Championship in 2021” has been approved by the WMSC, following initial plans to switch the series to electric cars being extinguished in March this year.

While the previous intention for World RX electrification had included manufacturer-built and developed single-make carbon monocoque chassis machines, the new initiative is aimed at existing private teams, to retrofit current four-wheel drive Supercars with an electric kit in place of conventional running gear.

Following a successful amalgamation of ICE (internal combustion engine) cars and electric machines in last winter’s Andros Trophy ice racing series, World RX will also run both types of propulsion in 2021.

“A gradual introduction will see a mix of EVs and current ICEs for a minimum of one year,” said a WMSC statement. “An identical specification powertrain and battery kit is to be introduced for a four-year cycle, comprising two motors developing between 400 and 500 kW.”

A single-make FIA Junior eRX series will also be introduced for 2021, for four-wheel drive cars producing around 250 kW.

Invitations to tender for the supply of the electric kits for existing Supercars, a Junior eRX car and operation and a charging infrastructure for both series has been launched by the FIA.

Each of the tenders are for a four-year term, with potential applicants being able to bid for one or more of the tenders released.

Manfred Stohl’s Austrian firm STARD has already announced that it is developing a four-wheel drive electric kit, initially aimed at World RX’s proposed Projekt E initiative.

Technical details released this week, an evolution of STARD’s original electric rallycross Supercar prototype HIPER, fall in line for the new technical outline for electric World RX Supercars.