E'trott Racing: An explanation of the French electric scooter championship
E'trott Racing is the French electric scooter racing championship, organized under the auspices of the French Federation of Motorcycling (FFM). Since January 2023, electric scooters have been an official discipline: races take place on real motorcycle circuits, with licensing, technical inspections, timing using transponders, and track marshals. Rage Mechanics has been involved since the first season. Here's how the championship works, based on the 2026 regulations published by the FFM.
The essentials
- There are two categories based on the weight of the machine: Light (38 kg or less) and Racing (more than 38 kg, with a maximum of 65 kg), plus a team ranking.
- You must be at least 14 years old on the day of the competition and hold a license issued by the French Cycling Federation (FFM).
- A race weekend typically includes a practice session, a timed qualifying session, and four short races, with the last one being a superfinal.
- The machines must comply with a specific technical regulation: motors must be integrated into the wheels, hydraulic brakes are required, there must be a kill switch on the handlebars, and the voltage is limited.
- The regulations change from year to year, but the definitive version is always the one published on the FFM website.
An official discipline recognized by the French Cycling Federation (FFM)
Before 2023, electric scooter races were organized among enthusiasts, without a common framework. By recognizing the electric scooter as a discipline, the French Motorcycling Federation (FFM) provided it with what other motorsports have: a sporting regulation, a technical regulation, trained officials, approved circuits, and insurance linked to the license. The first season was held as a regional championship in the Île-de-France region, and then the French championship took over starting in 2024.
The championship races are held on motorcycle circuits. The 2026 rounds were scheduled to take place in Le Mans, Escource, Muret, Belval-sous-Châtillon, and Alès, but the dates are subject to change throughout the season with the approval of the national speed commission. The definitive calendar is published annually on the FFM website.
The categories:
| Category: | Machine | Rider | Plates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Commercially available scooter or prototype, weighing 38 kg or less | 14 years old or older | Red, white numbers |
| Racing | Commercially available electric scooters or prototypes, weighing between 38 kg and a maximum of 65 kg | 14 years old or older | Black tires, white numbers |
| Team | Two regular riders and one reserve rider, participating in either the Light or Racing category | Annual license | Those in the following category: |
The machines are weighed in the condition they are in at the end of the race or tests, with no additions allowed. A French championship title is awarded in each category if there are at least five riders or teams ranked throughout the year.
Who can participate?
The competitions are open to riders of all nationalities who hold a valid license for the year issued by the French Motorcycling Federation (FFM): FIM or FIM Europe license, national competition license (NCO), junior license (NJ), national electric mobility license (NVE), or a "one-event" electric mobility license (LJVE). The latter, valid for a single event, requires a medical certificate confirming the absence of contraindications, issued within the last year, and parental authorization for minors; it must be obtained online no later than 72 hours before the event. Please note: only riders holding an annual license are eligible for the French championship. For those taking their first steps, our guide getting started in electric scooter racing details the process.
How does a race weekend unfold?
- **Checks:** License verification, transponder return (attached to the steering column), technical inspection of the vehicle and equipment.
- Mandatory briefing before the test rides; failure to attend will result in penalties.
- Official Test: This test divides riders into two groups: Elite (the fastest half) and Hope (the other half).
- Timed trial: This determines the starting grid for the first race.
- Four races, each consisting of a maximum of eight laps, preceded by a warm-up lap. The starting grid for race 2 is determined by the results of race 1, the grid for race 3 is based on the combined results of the first two races, and race 4, the superfinal, brings together the riders with the best times achieved in the previous races.
Points are awarded to the top twenty finishers in each heat, with 50 points for the winner and 1 point for the twentieth place. Additionally, 2 points are awarded for the fastest lap in each race. Wheelies, stoppies, and other acrobatic maneuvers are prohibited both on the track and in the paddock.
Key technical guidelines:
The technical regulations are very specific, and anything not explicitly permitted is prohibited. Here are the most important points to consider when preparing a machine:
- Two wheels with a diameter of 250 to 300 mm, using pneumatic tires, mounted on rims of 6 to 7 inches; solid tires are prohibited; brand choice is free
- Hub motors: no chain or belt required
- Liquid-cooled motors and controllers are prohibited
- The battery is located within the deck, and the voltage is measured by a representative using an accessible charging port, ensuring it does not exceed 92.40 V (a maximum of 22 cells in series)
- An independent hydraulic brake on each wheel, and a lever protector included as standard in front of each lever
- A red kill switch located on the handlebars, which cuts power to the motors without engaging the brakes
- a rear red light that illuminates when the track is declared wet;
- Dimensional limitations: 1650 mm from tire edge to tire edge, 450 mm wide excluding handlebars, and a deck height of no more than 400 mm from the ground.
Our guide on how to prepare an electric scooter for track use covers these points in the order in which the workshop addresses them.
Rage Mechanics in the championship
The workshop has been present since the first season, with its own riders and by providing motorization for other teams. The complete record is on our E'trott Racing page; in summary:
- 2023: Raphaël Pere Mouetaux, champion of the Île-de-France league in the Racing category, riding the SR-One.
- 2024: Malo Le Coz finishes 3rd in the French championship and wins the final in Alès; the RM-X makes its racing debut.
- 2025: Thibaud Ray wins the final in Alès; Arianna Massara wins almost all the races in the Light category.
- 2026: The machines equipped with the RM290 motor win three out of four races and take the 1st, 2nd, and 4th places in the championship; T2R Racing is the team champion.
Workshop tip
Please read the entire rulebook for the year before purchasing anything for your machine. A non-compliant part will be discovered during the technical inspection, which takes place on Saturday morning, by which point it's too late to change it. Also, spend a few days practicing on the track before the first race: you'll learn the track and get to know your machine much more comfortably without having competitors around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you ride an electric scooter commercially available?
Yes. Both categories accept commercially available scooters as well as prototypes, provided they comply with the technical regulations. Production models almost always require modifications: brakes, kill switches, lever protectors, and tires.
What is the minimum age to participate?
Regulation 2026 requires participants to be at least 14 years old on the day of the competition, both in the Light and Racing categories. Minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian or a designated representative.
How long does a race last?
The races are held in heats of a maximum of eight laps. This makes them short and very intense, which puts a lot of stress on the braking system, tires, and motor overheating.
Where can I find the official regulations?
On the FFM (French Cycling Federation) website, in the "speed" section, a document is published each winter. It can be supplemented with amendments throughout the season; in 2026, two amendments modified the procedures for testing and racing.
Is Rage Mechanics preparing machines for the championship?
Yes. The workshop is preparing machines for customers and is working on a complete setup for the 2027 season, the Power Train, which is currently on a waiting list.