Electric Race Cars Are Coming — Like It Or Not

The development and funding of top-level, and now mid-level, race car development and racing series are heavily influenced by car manufacturers. Racing is expensive, so support is needed from companies that benefit from the exposure racing provides. Car makers are natural allies in this and they want racing to support the branding and sale of street cars. So, what we see on the track "needs" to relate to what we see in the showroom, or so the thinking goes. This goes some way to explaining why F1 now has turbo V-6 engines and hybrid systems. It also helps in understanding why Porsche is leaving LMP1 and going to Formula E. Whether race fans like these moves isn't exactly the point, or, again, so the thinking goes.

We are now seeing the trickle-down effect, as Jaguar announces a pro customer racing program as a support series for Formula E. Think of this as Ferrari Challenge for EVs, perhaps. More details in this press release and video.

Jaguar has today unveiled plans for a fully-electric support series to run alongside select races in the FIA Formula E Championship from season five – titled the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY.

The Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY would be the first production battery electric vehicle racing series, featuring cars based on Jaguar’s first battery electric vehicle – the Jaguar I-PACE performance SUV, which hits the road later next year.

Modified Jaguar I-PACE cars will have the opportunity to compete on the same weekend at select Formula E events, using the same circuit layout as the stars of the electric street racing series – with the planned schedule consisting of a practice and qualifying session, followed by a 30-minute race.

Watch the video below: