Electric Air Racing
Officially Air Race E (Electric Aircraft Racing)
Emerging 2020s motorsport — electric-powered fixed-wing aircraft racing on closed courses at low altitude. Air Race E (announced 2018, first flight 2024) is inaugural international electric air racing series aiming to become 'Formula E of aviation'. Zero-emission demonstration of electric aviation potential.
What is Electric Air Racing?
Electric Air Racing is an emerging 2020s motorsport where electric-powered fixed-wing aircraft race on closed low-altitude courses. Air Race E is the inaugural international electric air racing series, announced 2018 by Airspeeder + Aircraft Design Research; developed with Airbus + industry partners as demonstration of electric aviation potential. First public electric race aircraft flights 2024; first competitive races expected 2025-2026. Vision parallel to Formula E for cars: zero-emission electric racing demonstrating consumer aviation electrification pathway. Aircraft: single-seater electric prototypes ~1.5MW peak power output; speeds targeting 400+ km/h. Racing format similar to Reno Air Races: pylon-marked course + heat racing + championship finals. Airspeeder EXA (2022+) flew unmanned electric multirotor 'flying car' racing as parallel development pathway. Competes conceptually with Red Bull Air Race World Championship (ceased 2019, combustion-engined) + Reno Air Races (US, continuing) for combined air racing space.
Quick facts
Category
Air Sports
Type
Individual
Players
1–1
Duration
~15 min
Where played
outdoor
Country of origin
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Estimated origin
Air Race E announced 2018; first public flights 2024; first races expected 2025-2026; Airspeeder EXA parallel development 2022+
Olympic
No
Popularity
niche
How it works
Objective
Fastest completion of pylon-marked course; win heats + progress to finals.
Match structure
Heat racing → knockout brackets → grand final (similar to Formula E ePrix format).
Rules
Basic rules
Electric fixed-wing aircraft required
Only electric-powered aircraft eligible; combustion engines prohibited.
Low-altitude pylon course racing
Course marked by pylons; must fly between pylons in prescribed direction.
Multiple aircraft race concurrently
Grid-start heat racing similar to Formula E.
Safety envelope
Course altitude ~10-100m; pilot ejection system + emergency parachute mandatory.
Advanced rules
Battery + power management strategy
Race duration constrained by battery capacity; power management + regen equivalent decisions critical.
Aerodynamic efficiency
Electric aircraft rely on aerodynamic efficiency due to battery weight constraints; low-drag design premium.
Course pylon violations
Missing pylon or wrong direction = time penalty or DNF.
Scoring
Fastest heat time + qualifying time + championship series points.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Heat position | Championship series points (25-1) |
| Qualifying pole position | Bonus points |
Win condition · Championship series points across season.
Equipment
Electric racing aircraft (single-seater)
Custom-designed electric fixed-wing aircraft; ~1.5MW peak power output; battery-electric propulsion.
Pilot flight suit + helmet + emergency parachute
Standard air racing safety equipment.
Race course (pylon-marked closed circuit)
Low-altitude course with pylons marking turn gates.
Positions & roles
Pilot
×1Solo aircraft pilot.
Officiating
Standard air racing officiating + FAI aviation oversight.
- Race director
- Course marshals
- Aviation safety officers
Penalties & fouls
Penalties
Pylon miss / wrong direction
Time penalty or DNF.
Strategies
Battery-conservation racing line
Optimal line + power usage extends battery race time; different from combustion racing.
Aerodynamic advantage
Electric aircraft rely on aerodynamic efficiency; slipstream + drafting matters more.
Terminology
- Air Race E
- The inaugural international electric air racing series (announced 2018).
- Airspeeder
- Adelaide-based electric flying car racing organization (parallel development).
- Pylon
- Course marker aircraft must fly between.
- EXA
- Airspeeder unmanned multirotor racing series.
Major competitions
Air Race E World Championship (inaugural)
annual (planned) · worldwide rotating hosts · since 2025
Airspeeder EXA series (unmanned electric multirotor)
occasional · Australia + international demonstration · since 2022
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Air Race E organization
Founded 2018 · UK
Official site ↗Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)
Founded 1905 · Lausanne, Switzerland
Airspeeder (parallel electric multirotor)
Founded 2019 · Adelaide, Australia
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Various inaugural Air Race E pilots (roster forming 2024-2026)
- Airspeeder EXA test pilots
Records
First international electric air racing series
Air Race E — Announced 2018; first flight 2024; first races expected 2025-2026 — pioneering electric aviation racing category (2024)
Airspeeder EXA first electric flying car races
Airspeeder Adelaide — First unmanned electric multirotor 'flying car' races 2022+; parallel electric aviation racing development (2022)
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Traditional air racing training (Reno Air Races or FAI regional)
Standard air racing skills transfer to electric racing.
advanced
- 1
Air Race E pilot recruitment
Formal pilot selection process for inaugural Air Race E series.
Frequently asked
Is electric air racing actually happening?+
Yes — Air Race E announced 2018 with target inaugural series 2025-2026. Aircraft development completed 2023-2024; first public flights 2024. Delays compared to original 2020 plan due to battery + aircraft engineering challenges. Airspeeder EXA parallel electric multirotor racing has demonstrated technology in 2022+. First major public competitive electric air race series is imminent.
How does it compare to Formula E?+
Parallels: both showcase electric propulsion in high-performance racing context; both aim to accelerate electric technology transfer to consumer market. Differences: air racing is fundamentally more dangerous + technically demanding than car racing; battery weight is more critical constraint in aviation; audience visibility is more challenging (aircraft distance vs. cars on track).
Will electric aircraft compete with combustion in speed?+
In short-duration racing YES — Air Race E targets 400+ km/h competitive with historical Red Bull Air Race speeds. In endurance yes electric has range/energy limitations vs. combustion. Air racing (short bursts) is ideal use case where electric can compete or exceed combustion; long-distance aviation remains combustion-dominant.
Sources & provenance
- Air Race E— Air Race E
- Airspeeder— Airspeeder