The FIM E-Xplorer World Cup was officially launched in December 2022; however, the first round of the championship did not take place until May 2023 in Barcelona. Last Saturday (24 June), the second installment of this electric motorcycle race took place in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. As a result of these two rounds, FIM and E-Xplorer now have a roadmap plan which will bring together motorcycling and the sport into one entertaining championship focused on equality, sustainability, and inclusion.
The organization has already taken the first step in their plan by introducing a new class of race in Barcelona for the 2023 season. In this class, teams will be able to compete with motorcycles that any consumer can buy and customize. This creates an opportunity to showcase the bike’s ability to adapt, while also achieving the goal of highlighting it as an emissions-free mode of transportation that can still provide plenty of entertainment and excitement.
“2023 is our foundation season,” explained E-Xplorer CEO Valentin Guyonnet. “Our three core pillars are innovation – driving the development of EV power units in the two wheel world; equality – attracting the interest of women competitors to the sport and creating the only two wheel series which stipulates that each team must have a male and female rider; and of course creating a vibrant and exciting racing series to attract both the traditional spectators as well as introducing a young audience who will ultimately become the target customers for these bikes.
“2023 will deliver these objectives while our plans for the following two years will be to attract the major OEMS and examine other sustainable energy options as the race for complete sustainability marches on and new technologies are introduced.”
Valentin also mentioned that 2024 is the year when manufacturers will get to showcase a different kind of race with specially-made prototypes that are designed to be top-notch for this format. Companies will have the chance to show off their brand, technology, and sustainability feats.
During E-Xplorer’s second year, changes to the Sporting Regulations will introduce longer races meant to show off the bikes’ skills and push the power units to their limits. Additionally, a team of light electric vehicle manufacturers will be set up to encourage technological advancements in the industry. Further announcements about this progress will come out soon.
In conclusion, the proposed plan for E-Xplorer provides a chance for OEMs to be major members of an event determined to push technology in the business. The competition will also be sure that all-terrain and dual-purpose motorbikes can handle both slippery/dirt surfaces and man-made ones, letting events to occur on and off-road tracks with the likelihood of moving the sport into towns and cities, increasing appeal to commuters in addition to enduro and off-road fans. This is an event that will adjust to the quick changes expected with the electric vehicle revolution and the need to make activity and entertainment central in the battle against climate change, sustainability initiatives, and equal rights.
“I had the pleasure of attending the second round in Crans-Montana this weekend”, explained FIM President Jorge Viegas, “the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup combines competitive racing between female and male riders, technical innovation and sustainability, all this in incredible settings. I truly believe that this series has a bright future thanks to its pioneering format which will continue to grow in the years to come thanks to the passion and hard work of the team at E-Xplorer SA, the promoter of the series.”
For all the latest E-Xplorer news, teams and results visit the championship’s official website:
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