Female Elon Musk's Call for Green Motorsport and Women's Empowerment
In the lead-up to MotoE's second season, Livia Cevolini, Energica's CEO, believes that technology advancements and a transforming public opinion pave the way for emissions-free races to leap further into mainstream popularity.
"We've finally made a commitment to each other," said the 41-year-old Italian, speaking with CNN. "Motorsport is a significant part of our daily lives, and eco-friendly technology must mirror that. It's great to see us engaging and attracting new attention with our efforts."
Green Racing Takeoff
Cevolini, who started Energica in her native Modena at 36 years old, expresses her excitement about this evolution in motorsport. The company, which shares roots with leading automakers such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati, as well as fellow motorbike firm Ducati, boasts a deeply-rooted racing heritage.
During her engineering studies, Cevolini did an internship with the Ferrari F1 team, and the Minardi F1 Team founder, Giancarlo Minardi, serves as Energica's CEO. The company inherits its engineering pedigree from the aerospace and satellite industries, along with the motorcycle racing world where technical director Giampiero Testoni worked on the Fantic MotoGP and CRP Racing teams.
Cevolini acknowledges that some vintage motorcycle enthusiasts may continue to see resistance towards MotoE. However, she sees it as a natural progression for motorsport prompting her to say, "E-bike races must break through admission and acknowledgment barriers that change in motorsport brings."
MotoE's Grit and Potential
While Cevolini acknowledges the technical hurdles that the category overcame in its initial years, she sees immense prospects in the near future.
"We were in sync with the Moto3 races in our first year, which is a remarkable achievement," Cevolini noted. "Beyond the obstacles, I see potential in the future for this category."
MotoE has established its credibility, with Cevolini asserting, "The bikes are all the same, so it'll set the stage for a grueling competition. Both the riders and spectators have great fun."
Cevolini added, "Public opinion shifts quickly. Despite the belief that progress is slow, it's a misconception. It moves fast."
The Energica-Tesla Tussle
Similar to Tesla founder Elon Musk, who revolutionized the auto industry, Cevolini is motivated to innovate in line with her idol, but with a unique twist.
"Working with Elon Musk was an honor, whose disruption impacted and revolutionized the automotive industry," she emphasized. "We want to emulate his example, but in our particular way: Auto and motorcycle industries share much in common, but also have differences."
Motorsport for Females
As a female CEO in a male-dominated industry, Cevolini faces challenges, as she admitted in an interview with CNN. She admits that it was hard to earn respect in her early days, but the tides are changing.
"I think the desire to be better than our male counterparts has always been a motivating factor and even a catalyst," she said. "More and more women are demonstrating unparalleled skills in the automobile and motorcycle industry."
With females like Maria Herrera from Spain making strides in MotoE, and Anna Carrasco from Spain dominating the Supersport-300-World Championship in 2018, progress is evident in the motorsports arena.
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The eco-friendly motorsport scene is progressing swiftly, driven by advancements in technology and changing public sentiments. Motorsports giants like electron racing series Formula E and Extreme E showcase innovative electric powertrains and regenerative braking systems, spearheading the process of moving towards a greener mobility landscape.
With the public's growing awareness and concern about climate change, decision-makers in the industry are starting to prioritize sustainability. Racing series have also initiated eco-friendly practices like using renewable energy sources and implementing recycling programs.
This shift encourages more companies to invest in and sponsor sustainable racing events, creating a whole new market for green racing and its associated technology. In addition, officials are building carbon-neutral racing circuits and engaging fan bases through digital platforms to promote eco-friendly practices and create awareness.
With this positive momentum, green racing is poised to enter the mainstream, becoming an integral part of the world-class motorsports scene.
