The FIA World Rallycross championship’s recent cancellation marked the end of a bold experiment with electric vehicles in one of motorsport’s most traditional arenas. Two-time World Rally Champion Marcus Grönholm believes the death of World RX can’t be blamed entirely on EVs – but he’s clear about what needs to change if the sport returns.
On September 18, the FIA announced World RX would disappear for the immediate future. The championship will return as European Rallycross in 2026, with a possible World Championship comeback in 2028.
The decision effectively killed off EVs in rallycross for the foreseeable future.
When Electric Motors Replaced Combustion Chaos
It’s easy to point fingers at the all-electric RX1e cars for World RX’s problems. When EVs debuted in 2022, their quiet electric motors replaced the explosive banging and popping of turbocharged combustion engines – the soundtrack that defined World RX since 2014.
Many fans hated the change.
The EVs packed over 600bhp and their instant torque suited rallycross perfectly. Traditional followers of the sport didn’t care.
A battery fire at Lydden Hill in 2024 made things worse. The blaze from Special ONE Racing’s Lancia Delta Evo-e RX ripped through the paddock and led to the cancellation of the RX1e class for the rest of that season.
The 2024 season introduced the “Battle of Technologies” – EVs competing directly against ICE cars for victory.
Kristofferson’s Controversial Eighth Title
Johan Kristofferson claimed his record-breaking eighth World Rallycross championship in 2025. The KMS driver switched from his ICE Volkswagen Polo to the EV version after getting beaten at the opening round in Portugal.
Despite Kristofferson’s success and the fact that RX1e cars won 50% of their races, EVs struggled to win over fans.
The FIA’s announcement signals the end of the EV versus ICE era.
Grönholm brings a unique perspective to World RX’s electric experiment. The Finn competed in rallycross after retiring from WRC in 2007, winning on his Euro RX debut at Höljes, Sweden.
His GRX team competed in World RX from 2017 to 2021. During those five seasons, GRX scored seven victories with Marcus’ son Niclas and Timur Timurzyanov both winning races.
While GRX sat out the electric era, Niclas drove for the EV-powered CE Dealer Team and finished second in this year’s championship. From 2022 to 2025, Niclas won three races, bringing his World RX career total to nine victories.
More Than Just Missing Engine Noise
“We have to be honest that the noise and drama is very important for World RX fans, and it’s why they didn’t really like the electric cars – that’s clear. But to blame the collapse of World RX completely on EVs? I don’t think that’s correct.”
Grönholm credits CE Dealer Team for their professional approach. He’s driven their PWR-run car several times at promotional events and calls it “good fun” and “a proper racing car.”
The performance looked impressive on TV, both in EV-only races and against combustion cars.
“Trackside, though, the sport was definitely missing something with the electrics,” he admits.
Formula E’s success since 2014 proves electrified motorsport can work and attract new audiences. But Formula E started fresh without an existing fanbase to alienate.
Rallycross dates back to 1974 and has one of motorsport’s most passionate fanbases – fans who see noise, dirt and chaos as core to the sport’s identity.
“Without fans, there is no motorsport. It’s that easy.”
Grönholm argues that promotional mistakes made fans’ EV skepticism worse. World RX returned to free YouTube streaming in 2025 – matching its successful 2014-2021 format. But the previous promoter had put it behind a paywall.
“That was stupid, because people definitely won’t pay for something they’re already skeptical about.”
The Money Problem
Cost emerges as a major theme in Grönholm’s analysis. During GRX’s ICE era, running one car for a season cost around €350,000.
Paddock rumors from KymiRing suggest EV cars with Kreisel-developed batteries cost nearly triple that amount. Event tickets reportedly reached €100 per person.
“Everything now is just too much money,” Grönholm says. “When the costs are that high for everything, what chance does it have to attract any other teams with smaller budgets, let alone compete with the likes of CE Dealer and KMS?”
The ticket prices particularly frustrate him. “If what we heard is true that tickets were around €100 for one person, then that too is crazy. We really need to bring costs down.”
GRX’s Possible Return
Would GRX return if World RX gets the green light for 2028?
“Ay, ay, ay! You ask too many difficult questions!” Grönholm laughs. “No, seriously, the FIA did the right thing by getting rid of the EV powertrains, because they were too expensive and the fans didn’t like them.”
He’s uncertain about future sustainability solutions – maybe synthetic fuels like those being introduced in WRC.
Grönholm points to the 2027 WRC rule changes as a potential foundation. These introduce a €345,000 cost cap per car and standardized spaceframe chassis with 1.6-liter turbocharged engines shared with Rally2 cars.
Rumors suggest the FIA is considering allowing rallycross-adapted versions of the ‘WRC27’ cars in a future World RX championship.
The FIA must first generate enough interest among teams and manufacturers. This means World RX won’t return until 2028 at the earliest.
“I think GRX returning could be possible if World RX adopts the 2027 World Rally Championship rules and allows teams to modify their cars in line with rallycross regulations. That would be a good starting point, as would keeping World RX free to view for the fans.”
He cautions that 2028 is still far away. “Lots of things can happen between now and then.”
Not a Failed Experiment
The 57-year-old rejects calling World RX’s EV era a “failed experiment.”
“No, I don’t think we should call electric cars in World Rallycross a failed experiment. I’m glad the FIA tried it. EVs have a place in motorsport – World RX just wasn’t the right one.”
