Much has been said about the electric bikes. Proponents claim that they are the modern equivalent of the original TT bikes from long ago. I have some sympathy with this argument - all new technologies need a 'springboard' and racing is a great way of speeding development. 

On the other hand using racing to push development only works if the class is well supported and popular with the race-going public (who ultimately provide the finance). I've yet to meet a supporter of the electric bikes amongst TT spectators (and I've been present for every race) and the number of teams / developers hasn't increased in any noticeable fashion. 

The other argument offered in favour of these bikes is that they are 'the sustainable future' but they aren't - they just move the production of their energy 'upstream' - power stations still use (in the main) coal or oil for the production of the energy that charges the bike's batteries. How does that help?

If the TT is to continue it must evolve but this evolutionary branch is a dead end IMHO.