The category to be known as Electric Sport Vehicle will be open to GT machinery and what the governing body is describing as “coupe-shaped sports sedans” with a minimum power output of 300kW (402bhp) in standard form.
ESV has been conceived in the spirit of the long-standing Group N production category to allow electric vehicles to be incorporated into existing competitions, including racing and against-the-clock hillclimb and sprint events at national and regional levels.
It is also envisaged that the new rule set could encourage manufacturers to launch one-make series for their EVs.
The FIA wants to use its competence in high-voltage safety in order “to grow sustainable motorsport for the future”, it said in its launch statement on Friday after the rules were signed off by the World Motor Sport Council.
Limited scope for modifications will be allowed under the ESV rules as per Group N and it is envisaged by the FIA that cars will be made available ready to race by the manufacturers.
Only cars that have achieved a minimum production run of 300 cars in their first two years on sale will be allowed.
Cars such as the Audi RS e-tron GT, the Porsche Taycan, the BMW i4 and the Maserati Granturismo Folgore will be eligible for the new class.
Marek Nawarecki, FIA director of circuit sport, said: “As the governing body of world motorsport, our responsibility is also to ensure that our knowledge and expertise are available to our member clubs as well as local organisers and promoters.
Source: Autosport