Todt targets 2013 for electric FIA series

F1’s governing body will create a new global racing series for electric cars, FIA president Jean Todt has revealed.

A report in the Financial Times said Todt, who thinks the new category can be set up for 2013 and be run on formula one circuits, has been asked to create the series by the European Commission.

"We want as soon as possible to have new categories with new energy," said the Frenchman, who is also introducing greener new engine rules for F1.

"As much as we can do it all over the world, we will do it," he added.

Todt indicated he understands some resistance to the change from within formula one, including Bernie Ecclestone who is worried about losing the unique sound produced by the current V8 engines.

"The racing community are only interested in how to improve performance because they want to win," he said.

"If you speak to the boards of manufacturers they feel a strong interest to implement the technologies, which are not so obvious for the sporting community because it costs money and research and it doesn’t improve performance, and I understand that," added Todt.