It's inevitable that Safari Rally cars of the future will be electric powered

The thunderous roar of rally cars, the crackle of gravel beneath their tyres, the split-second decisions that separate victory from disaster are the elements that have made rallying the purest test of man and machine. Matters were not different during the 2025 WRC Safari Rally in Naivasha.

But what if the future of this adrenaline-fueled sport was silent? Not dull, not diminished, just different. Imagine cars launching off the start line with instantaneous torque, shredding through mud and gravel with unrelenting precision, powered not by fossil fuels but by raw, high-voltage energy. The shift to electric rallying is not just inevitable, it is the next great evolution of the sport. And if history has taught us anything, it is that rallying has never been afraid of revolution.

The challenge lies in preserving the sport’s soul while embracing this seismic shift. This might explain the false starts in the switch to  electric vehicles (EVs) but in a world accelerating toward sustainability, the transition to electric rally cars is not just inevitable, it is imperative.

The question rally enthusiasts will be asking is, can rallying remain as thrilling in an electric era? The answer is a resounding yes. In fact, the evolution toward EVs may not only sustain rallying but also catapult it into a new era of unprecedented excitement.

Sceptics argue that rallying’s extreme conditions - Kenya’s rugged Olkaria geothermal fields, Sweden’s frozen forests - are too harsh for electric vehicles. However, electric propulsion systems have already proven their resilience in high-performance racing environments. Formula E has demonstrated that electric drivetrains can deliver the speed, endurance, and agility required for top-tier motorsport, while Extreme E has pushed electric SUVs to their operational limits in some of the world’s most unforgiving terrains. The results speak for themselves—these vehicles do not merely survive; they thrive.

The most significant advantage of electric rally cars is the instantaneous torque delivery inherent in electric motors. Unlike internal combustion engines, which require an optimal power band to achieve peak performance, electric powertrains generate maximum torque from a standstill. This results in unparalleled acceleration, sharper response times, and superior traction across variable surfaces. A fully electrified Safari Rally would see vehicles launching off the start line with explosive power, seamlessly navigating unpredictable terrain with precision previously unattainable in traditional rally cars. By eliminating mechanical lag and reliance on engine tuning, the next generation of rallying will place an even greater premium on driver skill and strategic energy management.

Beyond performance, the electrification of rallying is a question of long-term viability. The environmental footprint of traditional rallying is significant, with internal combustion engine vehicles consuming thousands of liters of fuel per event and producing substantial carbon emissions.

As global policy frameworks shift toward net-zero commitments, motorsport cannot afford to remain an outlier. The industry must align with the broader transformation occurring in the automotive sector, where major manufacturers - including Toyota, Ford, and Hyundai - are investing heavily in electric vehicle development. The question is no longer if rallying will go electric, but when and how.

One of the primary technical challenges lies in energy infrastructure. Rallying spans vast distances, often in remote regions where conventional EV charging networks are non-existent. However, solutions already exist to address range anxiety. High-capacity battery swap systems, mobile rapid-charging stations powered by renewable energy, and advanced regenerative braking systems can extend operational endurance.

Kenya’s geothermal-powered EV charging stations, pioneered by KenGen in Naivasha, serve as a proof of concept - sustainable energy can be seamlessly integrated into motorsport, reducing reliance on fossil fuels without compromising performance. This model can be replicated globally, positioning rallying as a laboratory for real-world clean energy applications.