FORMULA-E, the quieter, battery-powered version of the Formula One began in 2014. The first race was flagged off in 2014 in Beijing–now the world’s capital for electric vehicles. Just before the world was plunged into a standstill, Xtreme E, the electric version of off-road racing with a huge difference–its races promotes environmental awareness, must operate with the least possible carbon footprint as it highlights global ecological issues.
Both Formula E and Xtreme E developed to harness the potential of electric vehicles and their significance in combatting climate change. The discoveries and lessons from racing have helped reshaped battery and motor technologies for electric vehicles (EVs) in ways no one could have anticipated.
Formula E, officially called the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, is a single-seater all-electric car motorsport championship conceived by then FIA president Jean Todt and Spanish businessman Alejandro Agag. Agag is also the current chairman of Formula E Holdings. Since 2020, Formula E has received FIA accreditation and world championship status.
While Formula E had manufacturers and engineers worked tirelessly to push the boundaries of battery and motor technologies. With each season, advancements in battery chemistry and energy density improved the range and efficiency of Formula E cars. Moreover, the development of cutting-edge electric motor technology led to higher power outputs and enhanced acceleration, thrilling fans with electric vehicles capable of reaching astounding speeds.
At the inaugural race it was only France’s Renault, China’s NIO, and India’s Mahindra. Since then more car makers have joined the Formula E. Audi, Jaguar, BMW, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche now use the race as a platform for research and development.
In the first three seasons of the race, drivers had to swap cars in the middle of the 25-lap race because the batteries wouldn’t last. Today, racing lasts between 33 to 46 laps over course distances between 80 to 100 kilometers long–averaging over 180 kilometers per hour with top speeds of nearly 330 kilometers per hour. The cars can accelerate to 100 kph in 2.8 seconds, just 2 seconds shy of their fossil-fuel burning counterparts.
Formula E has become a test bed for also given motor efficiency and regeneration technologies. Nissan’s most efficient regenerative braking technologies came from lessons since its participation in the event in 2015. A good example is the size and power output of the motors were reduced significantly and achieving 60 to 80 percent power from regenerative braking proved useful in Nissan vehicles like the LEAF and Ariya.
For Nissan, just the first four seasons of Formula E, the advancements in battery and electric motor technology have doubled race cars ranges, with the same battery size. The power efficiency also improved for all vehicles enabling cars to go faster.
Having a chance to demonstrate the potential of electric cars in racing as also a showcase of how far the technology has come.
As Formula E continued to evolve, another electric racing championship, Xtreme E, emerged with a unique focus on off-road racing. The championship took teams and drivers to some of the most ecologically fragile and remote locations on Earth, challenging them to navigate harsh terrains and extreme conditions.
To conquer these demanding environments, Xtreme E relied on even more advanced battery and motor technologies. The championship spurred developments in rugged battery designs, capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and providing sustained power in challenging off-road situations. The electric motors, too, evolved to offer precise control and torque delivery, essential for conquering treacherous landscapes.
While Formula E and Xtreme E each had their distinct racing environments, their parallel pursuits of excellence catalyzed a symbiotic evolution in battery and motor technologies. Innovations born on the racetracks of Formula E found their way into the rough terrains of Xtreme E, and vice versa.
Battery technologies designed for Formula E cars, had to be made more robust–and quicker charging–because at parc firme, in the middle of a forest of a jungle, had major difference from a power plug at the paddocks. Technologies such as solar and windpower were considered as well as battery swapping and cells were optimized for fast charging and high power output.
For Xtreme E, the more robust electric motors utilized in off-road racing were adapted for urban mobility solutions–impervious to floods, extreme heat and cold–would eventually trickle down to making regular electric cars more accessible and efficient for everyday use.
As Formula E and Xtreme E seasons unfolded, the collective impact of these championships on battery and motor technologies was undeniable. Electric vehicles, once seen as limited by range and performance, had evolved into formidable competitors on the racetrack and reliable choices for daily commuting.
