Michelin to supply electric car, M/C racing series

BIRMINGHAM, England — Michelin Motorsport is extending its involvement in the burgeoning electric vehicle racing movement, agreeing to be the tire supplier for a pair of new series for battery-powered cars and motorcycles.

The new series are the the "I-Pace eTrophy" racing series that will feature race-prepped versions of Jaguar's I-Pace sedan and the FIM Moto-e World Cup for electric motor bikes. The I-Pace series launches later this year while the Moto-e series starts in 2019.

The I-Pace eTrophy will be a support series for the FIA Formula-E championship, which Jaguar Racing joined in 2016 as a manufacturer entrant.

Michelin will supply specially designed tires for the I-Pace series, as it does for the Formula-E championship.

Michelin Motorsport Director Pascal Couasnon noted that this partnership reflects the company's "racing today for tomorrow's mobility" credo:

"We've been a partner of Formula-E from the outset and will be closely involved in the FIM Moto-e World Cup which kick offs in 2019," he said at the launch of the I-Pace program during the Autosport International motor racing show in Birmingham.

Michelin did not disclose details of the type of tire being developed for the I-Pace eTrophy cars.

Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) will build and maintain the I-Pace racers — based on the five-seat I-Pace performance SUV — and will offer them to qualified drivers under an "Arrive and Drive" package that covers logistical and technical support, dedicated television coverage and the Michelin tires.

The car maker is anticipating fields of up to 20 cars for the inaugural I-Pace eTrophy season, which will feature 30-minute races in support of the Formula-E series.

The FIM Moto-e World Cup will use a competition-tuned version of the Ego motorcycle of Italy's Energica Motor Co. S.p.A.

The creation of the FIM Moto-e World Cup will provide Michelin "with an invaluable laboratory for the development of innovations that will go on to feature on our road tires," according to Mr. Couasnon.

"For as long as Michelin has existed," he said, "the projects in which it has been involved have sought to take mobility forward, while making it safer, more economical and more respectful of the planet. Progress needs all the stakeholders to innovate, not only on the technological front but also in terms of their vision."