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Legacy automakers are eager to level the playing field in the electric vehicle (EV) market in comparison to all-electric companies like Tesla and BYD. As a result, many automakers are turning to Formula E racing as a competitive platform for research and development, which has the potential to transfer data results to mass production EV models.
The Problem: Legacy automakers need to rethink their R&D in order to accelerate their battery electric divisions.
The Solution: They’re turning to the Formula E electric racing series as a laboratory for electric mobility. The series gives manufacturers a competitive platform to test and develop the latest in EV technology. The carbon footprint of the GEN3 has been measured from the beginning of the design phase to inform all measures taken to reduce environmental impact, while all unavoidable emissions are offset as part of Formula E’s net zero carbon commitment.
What Do Legacy Automakers Hope to Accomplish? They aim to achieve software innovation to build better mass production EVs with enhanced performance, greater range, and higher efficiency. The latest advances in motorsports have a high percentage of translating in an optimized way to mass market models and may eventually lower EV prices for consumers. Manufacturers “definitely see … Formula E as a laboratory to test technologies,” according to Formula E founder Alejandro Agag.
The Efficiency Quotient: Legacy automakers who have joined Formula E as manufacturers are particularly interested in regenerating power. Because electric racing cars start each race with only 60% of the battery capacity they need and have to generate the rest through braking, they are innovators in efficiency.
How has Formula E Evolved? Season 9 saw Formula E’s third great leap with the all-new GEN3 car, previewed and launched at the 2022 Monaco E-Prix. The new GEN3 is lighter, smaller, faster, and more sustainable than what came before. It incorporates a number of features set to inspire and inform major automotive manufacturers toward their next moves in the consumer car market.
Which Manufacturers are Involved with Formula E? As an official manufacturer team in Formula E, Jaguar TCS Racing designs its own powertrain, which includes the motor, transmission, inverter, and rear suspension. The Nissan Formula E Team and Porsche Formula E are also engaged in the series, each with their own objectives and contributions to electric mobility.
Which Manufacturers have Come and Gone from Formula E? BMW left Formula E in 2021 and Mercedes has also redirected its R&D focus. Stellantis sees motorsport as the best tool to accelerate technology transfer from track to road, and is applying its DS to its other 13 brands to accelerate EV development.
Why isn’t the Formula E Series More Popular? The all-electric racing series is often compared to Formula One, with its sustained power and ICE sound. Formula E Unplugged is now on YouTube and is attempting to capture some of the same fervor and broaden its audience appeal, especially in the US, while demonstrating the promise of zero emissions racing and transportation.
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