At the Subida de La Cumbre, Pablo Suárez drove the all-electric Zeroid X1 to second place in the tourism category, making it the first electric car to reach the podium in a traditional Spanish mountain race. The result put the car among established competitors in a field usually dominated by combustion engines.
The Zeroid X1 made its debut on the 25th anniversary of El Hierro’s well-known hill climb, a race renowned for its tough course and long history. Suárez, who knows the car best from Rallycross, said he was surprised by how well it handled the mountain. After the race, he said, "More impressive than the result is proving that combustion and electric cars can compete side by side." The Zeroid X1 was originally developed for the FIA RX2e Rallycross Championship. RTVC lists its specifications as 360 horsepower and 510 Nm of torque, with dual independent motors, a 33 kWh battery and a carbon-composite body on a tubular chassis.
The result came after nearly a year of work by the Federación Canaria de Automovilismo (FCA) and the Canary Islands’ Department of Ecological Transition and Energy to bring electric vehicles into the spotlight. Until now, their efforts had been limited to safety cars and demo laps. Before its competitive debut, the Zeroid X1 spent nearly a year serving exclusively as a safety car at tarmac events in the Canary Islands. The Subida de La Cumbre was the first time a fully electric car entered official competition in Spain, and the Zeroid X1 proved to be a contender. El Hierro Hoy reported that local media viewed its entry as a historic step for the region and Spain.
Officials took notice. Miguel Ángel Domínguez, acting president of the FCA, called the result proof that sustainability and top-level racing can go hand in hand. "Seeing a 100% electric vehicle fight for the podium against rally and hill climb regulars is a leap forward for road racing, just as Formula-E has changed the game on circuits," Domínguez said.
El Hierro was a deliberate choice of venue. The island is already known for its focus on renewable energy, making it a fitting setting for this debut. Local government, the FCA and the Escudería Hierro-Sur worked together to make the Zeroid X1’s entry more than a show: it was a step toward bringing electric cars into mainstream motorsport.
Lauren García and Angel Bello won in their categories, but Suárez and the Zeroid X1 drew the most attention. Their next test is the La Palma round of the Campeonato bp de Canarias de Montaña-CCM. As reported earlier, the shift to electric isn’t limited to city cars or luxury models; motorsport is now part of the story.
Spanish racing has changed quickly in recent years, with the country hosting World Rally Championship events and trying alternative-energy competitions. The FCA’s work on infrastructure and licensing, coupled with more women joining the sport, has helped make the Canary Islands a leader in racing new idea. The Zeroid X1’s podium finish is the latest step toward a more open and tech-forward future for Spanish motorsport.
The result signals that electric cars belong in the competition, a message for teams and sponsors as well as fans. As combustion-only racing gives way, those who adapt will shape what comes next for motorsport in Spain.
