Fascination : the next step

The new generation will have its racing premiere at the end of the year with the start of the ninth season, but there was already a preview of the design and technology of the so-called Formula E Gen 3. The Formula E racers have always looked very emotional, but the new models have again been greatly improved, especially in terms of aerodynamics. However, the changes in the drive are greater than ever, because the new drive technology should allow speeds of over 320 km/h – that is almost 100 km/h more than with the first generation, which still has that because of the manageable range in the middle of the race Vehicle had to be changed. Generation three Formula E is also the world’s first single-seater with all-wheel drive. While an electric motor with 250 kW / 340 hp works on the front axle, a second e-module with 350 kW / 476 hp pushes at the rear. This also increases the recuperation capacity of the entire drive to around 600 kilowatts.

“The Gen3 represents the ambitious third era of Formula E and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. With each new generation of racing cars, we are pushing the boundaries of what is possible for electric vehicles – and Gen3 is our most ambitious project to date,” said Alejandro Agag, Founder and Chairman of Formula E. The new generation of Formula E is more efficient than ever, because more than 40 percent of the energy required in the race is produced by regenerative braking. The energy efficiency of the electric motors themselves is at the well-known high level of an electric drive, because it is around 95 percent compared to a combustion engine. For the first time, hydraulic brakes are no longer installed on the rear axle – the deceleration work is done solely by recuperation and the newly developed additional drive on the front axle. While previous developments have primarily been about aerodynamics and drive, software development is becoming more and more important, as is the case with series models. Future upgrades for the third-generation racing car are thus fed directly into the racing car’s operating system via software updates.

So far, seven car manufacturers have registered with the FIA ​​​​to enter the race for the Formula E Champion titles with the new car in season nine: DS, Jaguar, Mahindra, Maserati, Nio, Nissan and Porsche. However, many big names such as Mercedes, BMW or Audi years ago have now left the racing circuit and have found their way elsewhere. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem: “Gen3 sets new standards in sport, both technologically and from an environmental point of view. The FIA ​​and the Formula E development teams have done a fantastic job and I thank them for their great work on this project. I am particularly pleased that so many leading manufacturers have registered today for the next era of the championship and I am very excited for the Gen3 debut at the circuit in season nine.”

Technologically, Formula E always sets records. The Renn-Generation 3 batteries are among the most advanced batteries that can be manufactured today, as they are largely made from sustainably sourced minerals. The battery cells themselves are recycled at the end of their life cycle and then reused. For the first time in a formula racing car, canvas and recycled carbon fiber were used to construct the body. Specifically, this is recycled carbon fiber from ex-Gen 2 race cars, reducing the amount of new carbon fiber produced. All unused carbon fibers are recycled for new applications using an innovative process borrowed from the aerospace industry. A quarter of the race tires are made from natural rubber and recycled fibres, and all tires are fully recycled after the races. The carbon footprint of the Gen 3 race car was measured at the start of the design phase to integrate all reduction measures implemented to reduce environmental impact while avoiding unavoidable emissions as part of Formula E’s commitment to carbon neutrality be compensated.