FIA Releases Rules for ESV Entry-Level Electric Racing Platform

The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) announced on Friday the first technical regulations for a new electric racing class.

Called Electric Sport Vehicle (ESV), the new class is the first FIA-approved class for electric race cars derived from road cars; according to an FIA press release, the class will serve as an entry-level class for electric racing at the national and regional level It is intended to function and allow manufacturers to offer turnkey electric race cars.

Taking a cue from the Group N category for internal combustion engine vehicles, the ESV will only allow minimal modifications from production models that are roadworthy. The category covers "grand touring cars and four-door coupe-type sports sedans," with a chassis height limit of 57.4 inches. Many electric crossovers currently on the market would be excluded. For example, the standard U.S.-spec Hyundai Ioniq 5 has an overall height of 63.0 inches.

As a production-based class, manufacturers must produce a certain number of road cars to homologate EV models into ESVs. Initially, 300 cars are required within 24 months of homologation.

The ESV is intended for rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles with a minimum output of 410 hp. The bodywork must remain largely unchanged, but fender flares to accommodate wider tires and additional cooling ducts are permitted. Some components, such as doors, rear hatch, spoiler, and diffuser, may be replaced with lighter versions while retaining their stock shape.

To allow organizers to group cars competitively, the FIA will also apply a performance factor methodology for hill climb races. Teams will also be able to check their energy consumption in real time via on-board data loggers.

While the FIA has supported the Formula E single-seater series and the electric rallycross category, this is the first time it has supported a production car-based electric racing class on a tarmac circuit.

The FIA previously provided support for the Electric GT series, which was intended to use modified Tesla Model S race cars (with no apparent support from Tesla). An electric category was also announced for 2021 that promised performance similar to the current GT3 cars, but neither of these efforts came to fruition