At a press conference at the Ararat Park Hyatt Hotel in Moscow, the Russian capital city was announced as the ninth and penultimate round of the inaugural FIA Formula E Championship.

Jean Todt, President of the FIA, Sergey Ivanov, Executive Director of the Russian Automobile Federation, Valentin Buhtoyarov, the Chairman of FEH Russia, and Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E, were among those in attendance.

"We are delighted to be welcoming Moscow onto the 2014-15 Formula E calendar as our 10th host city,” said Agag. “Russian people have always welcomed with passion and enthusiasm international events and we are sure it will be the same with the Moscow ePrix. Russia’s automotive market is steadily growing, as is its electric vehicle industry and I am confident that Formula E will help to promote the concept of sustainable mobility in this country."

Agag's unique championship, the first electric racing series to emerge onto the global scene, has attracted millions of viewers from around the world. Quite unusually, Formula E runs as a winter series; it kicked off in Beijing on September 13, 2014, and is set to conclude at Battersea Park in London on June 27 this year.

The 13-turn street circuit runs 1.48 miles counterclockwise through the heart of the city. The Moscow ePrix will have a scenic backdrop as well, with the front straight next to the Moskva River and turn 10 running by St. Basil's Cathedral near the Kremlin.

"Russia’s presence in motorsport dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, but the growth rate which we’ve seen in the last few years is incredible," said Jean Todt. "After the debut of the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) two years ago and of Formula One last year, the launch of another FIA Championship in the country is an important milestone in this growth path."

The race is set for June 6, while the eighth round at Berlin Tempelhof Airport has been moved forward one week to May 23 to accommodate the Russian round. After dropping Rio de Janeiro last year, the surprise announcement ensures that the original goal of ten races in the opening season will be met.

Lucas di Grassi leads the standings with 58 points after the first four rounds, with Sam Bird and Sebastien Buemi trailing 10 and 15 points behind in second and third. The fifth round of the season will be held in Miami, Fla. on April 4.