The FIA has announced major changes for 2026, including no EVs and a rebrand to 'European' Rallycross
Words by Alasdair Lindsay, Head of Digital Strategy
Top-level rallycross will ditch electric powertrains from next year and will be downgraded from FIA World Championship status to European level – which had previously been the discipline’s top tier prior until 2013.
The FIA, which for this year became World RX’s promoter alongside its regulatory oversight of the series, announced a wide-ranging overhaul to the mixed-surface circuit racing series on Thursday as part of a new strategy designed to maximize “fan engagement”.
Electric powertrains will no longer be utilized at the top level of rallycross, with the Kreisel RX1e units first deployed in 2022 being dropped after four years. For the past two seasons both electric and internal combustion powertrains were permitted under World RX’s ‘battle of technologies’ format: from 2026, only internal combustion will be permitted.
World RX’s history with electric was somewhat troubled: the only new team to join during its EV period was Guerlain Chicherit’s Special ONE Racing, which ran Lancia Delta Evo-E RXs for himself and nine-time World Rally champion Sébastien Loeb. This team’s cars were lost to an electrical fire at the Lydden Hill World RX round in 2023, which led to the remainder of that season being completed with QEV-built RX2e machines.
The Kreisel drivetrains had cost €300,000 upfront, with a servicing cost of €100,000 for three years of subsequent factory support. A move to internal combustion is expected to boost grid numbers: Euro RX1, which uses only ICE-powered cars, has had double-digit entries at all but one round this season.
World RX grids have been exceeded by Euro RX this season
With electric powertrains gone, rallycross’ top level will morph back into a European championship, the status it held prior to 2014. A six-round calendar with a focus on “some of the continent’s most iconic rallycross venues,” has been promised.
Though World RX has been downgraded to Euro status for 2026, there will be a global element to the discipline, with the FIA introducing a Rallycross World Cup event at a to-be-determined location outside Europe.
The FIA also suggested that a return to world championship status for rallycross is on its long-term roadmap.
From 2028 the top level of rallycross will use the WRC27 technical regulatory framework currently set for introduction in the World Rally Championship, which the FIA stated was aimed at “meaning modern, safer, more affordable, yet faster vehicles will become available over the subsequent seasons with the aim of attracting more competitors.”
FIA road sport director Emilia Abel said: “The changes announced today mark an important step in shaping the long-term growth of rallycross. From the beginning, our approach has been to listen to the teams, the drivers, the organisers, and above all the fans.
“The FIA has made races free to watch worldwide and built a world-class broadcast experience. But shaping the bigger picture takes time, which is why we are laying out this clear vision for 2026 and beyond.
New rallycross technical regulations are signposted for 2028
“The past two seasons have been a true battle of technologies, with electric and combustion power going head-to-head. This era showed how rallycross can lead in motorsport innovation, and the lessons learned will remain part of our DNA. The move to an internal combustion drivetrain builds on this foundation delivering an affordable and accessible format to grow grids and intensify competition.
“With the European Championship providing a strong racing format, and the launch of a World Cup creating a thrilling global showcase, we are offering the best of both worlds as we transition toward the new technical regulations for the 2028 season.
The FIA is committed to delivering the close racing, and spectacle that make rallycross unique, while preparing the sport for an even stronger future, which honours our past, celebrates innovation, and ensures growth in rallycross for years to come.”
World RX’s 2025 season finale – and the last rallycross event with world championship status for the foreseeable future – takes place in Turkey this week and is a double-header.
Hansen Motorsport has withdrawn from the season finale due to budget constraints, leaving only four permanent World RX competitors lining up at Istanbul Park. The 10-strong Euro RX pack will join the World RX field as wildcards for the second round of Turkey’s double-header.
Words:Alasdair Lindsay
Tags: European Rallycross Championship, EV, World RX