Hard Enduro has always been a proving ground for new motorcycle technology, and the Stark VARG EX is now testing electric power against the best factory machines in the sport.
Sweden’s Eddie Karlsson and Britain’s Toby Martyn are racing the VARG EX in the 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship, proving that electric motorcycles are no longer just experimental projects.
The Stark VARG EX
The VARG EX weighs around 120 kilograms and produces up to 80 horsepower, with adjustable power maps controlled from the handlebar. Its electric motor is powered by a 7.2 kWh battery, delivering immediate torque directly to the rear wheel. There is no clutch and no conventional gearbox.
The enduro package includes dedicated suspension, handguards and brake-disc protection, while the Factory Edition is priced from approximately US$16,990.
For Hard Enduro, the advantages are clear:
- Instant and adjustable torque
- No gear changes
- No risk of stalling
- Smooth power delivery on technical climbs
The main challenges remain battery management and adapting to a riding style without a clutch.
World Championship Results
After three rounds of the 2026 championship, Eddie Karlsson sits seventh overall with 31 points. At the Silver Kings Hard Enduro in Idaho, he finished eighth and was the highest-placed electric rider. Toby Martyn currently holds 13th position with 16 points, continuing to develop the motorcycle alongside Karlsson.
These results have been earned directly against factory petrol-powered motorcycles in the championship’s main classification.
History at Erzbergrodeo
Outside the World Championship, Karlsson achieved a major milestone at Erzbergrodeo. He finished ninth and became the first rider to complete the Iron Giant on an electric motorcycle, despite racing without a rear brake.
Martyn also reached the finish in 12th position after a crash and mid-race repairs. Stark has also made history in the separate FIM SuperEnduro World Championship, becoming the first electric manufacturer to win the Manufacturers’ title.
Next Stop: Forza Orza
The next round of the Hard Enduro World Championship takes place at Forza Orza in Orsa, Sweden, from August 20–22. It will be Sweden’s first World Championship Hard Enduro round and a home race for Karlsson.
Ahead of the event, Manuel Lettenbichler leads the championship with 88 points, followed by Mitch Brightmore on 75 and Teodor Kabakchiev on 68. Karlsson’s seventh position already places the VARG EX among the leading motorcycles in the series.
Electric Hard Enduro Is Already Here
The Stark VARG EX has scored World Championship points, completed Erzbergrodeo inside the top 10 and helped Stark win a SuperEnduro Manufacturers’ title. It may not yet be winning Hard Enduro World Championship races, but it has already proven that electric motorcycles belong in the fight.
Forza Orza will be the next major test—and with Karlsson racing at home, the electric project will receive plenty of attention in Sweden.
No clutch, no gearbox and no exhaust sound. Traditional riders may still call it strange, but seventh in the World Championship is a fairly effective reply.
