The roar of internal combustion was once thought to be entering its twilight years in the world of professional motorsport. Just half a decade ago, the narrative across the automotive industry was one of total, inevitable transformation. Formula E was gaining mainstream legitimacy, Extreme E was launching to showcase battery-electric prowess in the world’s most hostile terrains, and the FIA World Rallycross Championship (World RX) was heralded as the perfect platform for the electric revolution. After all, rallycross—with its short, explosive heats and immense torque requirements—seemed tailor-made for the instantaneous power delivery of electric motors.
Yet, in a stunning reversal that has sent shockwaves through the industry, World Rallycross has pivoted back to internal combustion. For the 2026 season, the championship is being downscaled to a European-centric series and returning to the high-octane, fire-spitting engines that many thought were destined for the museum. This retreat raises a fundamental question for the future of sustainable mobility: Is the dream of electric racing failing, or is the sport simply undergoing a painful, necessary recalibration?
To understand this shift, one must look toward the figures who have lived through every stage of this technological transition. The Hansen family, a multi-generational dynasty in off-road racing, has become the de facto barometer for the health of the sport. Kenneth Hansen, a 14-time European Rallycross champion, and his wife Susann, a champion in her own right, have transitioned from competitors to team owners. Their sons, Timmy and Kevin, represent the modern era of the sport, having competed in everything from traditional combustion cars to the cutting-edge electric machinery of World RX and Extreme E. Their collective experience provides a nuanced perspective on why the electric transition hit a wall.
For Kenneth Hansen, the initial move to electrification was about more than just lap times; it was about legacy. He viewed the shift as a way for motorsport to transcend mere entertainment and contribute to a global cause. The team’s commitment to sustainability wasn’t just a marketing veneer; it was an attempt to ensure that the sport they loved remained relevant in a world increasingly focused on decarbonization. However, the reality of the "Battle of Technologies"—a period where electric and combustion cars were pitted against one another—revealed deep-seated friction between engineering potential and fan expectations.
The primary hurdle, according to the Hansens, was not a lack of performance. On a technical level, the electric rallycross cars were marvels. With instantaneous torque and simplified drivetrains, they were, in many ways, easier and more precise to drive. Kevin Hansen, the inaugural Extreme H champion, noted that the electric platform allowed for a level of control over throttle and braking that combustion engines simply cannot match. However, this technical superiority was hampered by a rigid regulatory environment.
In Formula E, the "Generation" cycles allow for constant software and hardware evolution, with the upcoming Gen4 cars expected to produce over 800 horsepower. In contrast, the electric technology in World Rallycross remained largely stagnant due to "locked" software packages. The FIA and technology partners like Kreisel were hesitant to allow teams to develop their own software, fearing that the electric vehicles (EVs) would so thoroughly dominate the combustion cars that the competition would lose its luster. This artificial stifling of development meant that the electric cars never reached their full, spectacular potential, leaving them in a sort of technological purgatory.
Beyond the software, there is the undeniable element of the "show." Rallycross is a visceral, sensory experience. For decades, the sport has been defined by the smell of unburnt fuel and the deafening anti-lag pops of turbochargers. Timmy Hansen points out a critical distinction between different racing formats: Extreme E, which is primarily a television product filmed in remote locations, translates well to electrification because the lack of ambient noise is compensated for by high-quality cinematography and the drama of the environment. Rallycross, however, is a stadium sport. When spectators sit in the grandstands, the absence of engine noise creates a psychological distance. The "theatre" of the race feels diminished, and for a sport competing for attention in a fragmented digital landscape, losing that sensory impact is a dangerous gamble.
The economic reality of electric racing has also proven more volatile than anticipated. While the cost of maintaining a combustion engine is high, the specialized, low-volume components required for high-performance electric racing are astronomical. For a series like World Rallycross, which does not enjoy the massive manufacturer backing of Formula 1 or the niche market positioning of Formula E, the financial burden of maintaining a cutting-edge electric fleet became unsustainable. This economic pressure, combined with a cooling global appetite for EVs in certain markets, created a "perfect storm" that necessitated a return to more traditional powerplants.
This does not mean, however, that the push for sustainability has been abandoned. Susann Hansen argues that the electric era served as a vital catalyst for a more holistic approach to environmental responsibility. The "re-combustion" of World Rallycross is not a return to the status quo of the 1990s. The industry is now hyper-focused on sustainable fuels—drop-in replacements for gasoline that can be carbon-neutral—and a massive reduction in the carbon footprint of logistics, catering, and waste management. The Hansens themselves have implemented rigorous sustainability protocols at their headquarters, proving that the engine under the hood is only one part of the equation.
The broader industry implications of this retreat are significant. We are witnessing a diversification of "green" racing. While some series remain committed to battery-electric power, others are exploring hydrogen. Extreme E’s transition into Extreme H—becoming the first FIA World Cup for hydrogen-powered vehicles—suggests that the industry is looking for a middle ground that offers the environmental benefits of electrification with the refueling speed and "soul" more akin to traditional racing.
The disappearance of series like Nitrocross further illustrates the difficulty of making the electric business model work in the short term. It suggests that the "one-size-fits-all" approach to the EV transition was perhaps premature. The automotive market itself is currently in a state of flux, with hybrid technology seeing a massive resurgence as consumers balk at the limitations of pure battery-electric infrastructure. Motorsport, which has always been a reflection of the road car industry, is simply mirroring this uncertainty.
Kevin Hansen’s perspective as a daily EV driver highlights the irony of the current situation. Like many in the paddock, he prefers an electric car for his personal commute, citing its efficiency and refinement. Yet, he acknowledges that the requirements for a "work tool" on the track are different. The racing world is currently grappling with how to reconcile the practical benefits of electrification with the emotional demands of a spectator sport.
Looking toward the future, the "return to combustion" in World Rallycross may be a temporary detour rather than a dead end. As battery technology becomes lighter and software becomes more open, the "Battle of Technologies" might one day be revisited with more parity and excitement. For now, the focus has shifted to survival and relevance. The FIA and series organizers are under immense pressure to prove that they can be both entertaining and ethically responsible.
The lesson from the Hansen family’s journey is that sustainability in motorsport must be a collaborative, multi-level effort. It cannot be forced through a single technological mandate. It requires the backing of governing bodies to make environmental standards mandatory across the board, from the way spectators travel to the track to the energy used to power the paddocks.
As World Rallycross prepares for its 2026 combustion comeback, it does so with a heavy heart but a clearer head. The experiment with full electrification provided invaluable data and forced the sport to grow up, but it also proved that the roar of the engine is a fundamental part of the racing DNA that cannot be easily replaced by a silent motor. The future of racing will likely be a mosaic of technologies—electric, hydrogen, and sustainable combustion—each finding its place in a world that demands both a conscience and a show. The "Sound and the Fury" are returning to the track, but this time, they come with a commitment to a cleaner, more thoughtful legacy.