MotoGP to start electric support races from 2019

Dorna plans to include an electric support race category to MotoGP in 2019.

Word is out that MotoGP will have an additional electric series as a part of its support races by 2019. Dorna, the firm which holds the commercial rights for MotoGP, is reportedly planning to organise as many as five races that’ll be included in the racing calendar, come 2019.

While details are sparse at the moment, it’s believed that a total of 18 electric motorcycles will be lining up on the grid for the race. Since the races are going to be part of the support programme, it’s understood that they’ll be run for a short distance of 10-12 laps in the initial phase. The electric racing motorcycles should be able to hit close to 200km/h as per some reports. As for the bikes, they’re most likely to be built by a single manufacturer. Rumour has it that four manufacturers have already shown interest to supply the bikes for the races. Also, Dorna is suggesting that the bikes’ batteries will be recharged using solar panels, and not conventional generators like seen in other electric racing programmes.

In the past, electric motorcycle races have been held at the same venue alongside MotoGP races on some occasions, albeit they weren't directly backed by FIM or Dorna. Speaking of racing with electrified vehicles, currently, we only have limited number of such events - Formula E championship for four-wheelers and Isle of Man TT Zero electric motorcycle support race. As a spectacle, you could say that electric racing hasn't really caught the fancy of motorsports fans as yet. But, since the future of mobility is touted to be all-electric, it’s something that motorsports authorities can’t really dismiss anymore.