New Formula E Race Cars Have Double the Electric Range

Author:

Jason Lomberg, North American Editor, PSD

Date:

01/31/2018

Tag:

@ROHMsemi #batterycharge #psd #formulae @FIAFormulaE

New Formula E Race Cars Have Double the Electric Range

Formula E

The Gen2 Formula E race car, with double the electric range.

Advanced battery technology will make the Formula E racing series more conducive to a spectator sport – increased energy storage capacity will eliminate the customary midrace car swap.

We covered Formula E back in July when the electric racing series came to New York for the first time. The Venturi racing team (which holds the EV speed record of 341 mph) and their technical partners at ROHM Semiconductor gave me a hands-on preview, and the event is a fascinating application of electric vehicle technology.

The cars faced strict weight restrictions, and battery limitations forced the teams to swap vehicles midrace. And they made every pound count – the EVs reached max speeds of 140 mph, but with only 80 noise decibels, vs. 130 decibels for internal combustion engines. CBS noted that instead of “screaming down the straightaways the way F1 cars do, FE cars buzz like giant colorful hummingbirds.”

The new EV models will have double the energy storage capacity (so double the range), which will eliminate the midrace swap. And this should make the Formula E racing series more exciting for spectators.

Each team will have access to the full list of specs – conceived by the FIA and a coterie of designers and engineers – and they’ll be responsible for their own powertrain. The new vehicle – designed for the next three race seasons – will be revealed on March 6 at the Geneva motor show.

“With almost double the energy storage capacity and double the range of the current car, the Gen2 will enable the teams and drivers to complete a full race at higher speeds,” noted Formula E’s official site.

“The Gen2 car is clear proof of the advancements in battery and electric motor technology achieved in the space of only four years, which will eventually make its way into everyday electric road cars.”