A Formula E car is a battery electric open-wheel auto racing car made according to the regulations of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) to take part in the FIA Formula E Championship. Races are mainly driven on closed temporary street circuits designed specifically for this racing category. [1]
As of 2024 there have been three major generations of Formula E cars:
Even though the FIA originally planned for the category to be open to various chassis manufacturers, [2] the only licensed Formula E model for the inaugural season (2014–2015) was the Spark-Renault SRT 01E. The electric components were assembled by Renault [3] while the chassis was designed by Dallara, and the car was assembled by Spark Racing Technology.
In Season 2 (2015–16), the SRT_01E was opened up for private development by the teams when it came to the motor, gearbox and suspensions. [4]
The specifications for the Spark-Renault SRT_01E are:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Acceleration | 3 s from 0–100 km/h (approximately) |
| Top speed | 225 km/h (FIA regulated) |
| Chassis material | Carbon fiber and aluminium monocoque |
| Body material | Kevlar and carbon fiber |
| Aerodynamic elements | Spoiler and airdam |
| Electric motor | Season 1: McLaren Electronic Systems [5] Season 2 onwards: Various, from single-speed to 5-speed |
| Motor power | 200 kW in normal race mode (150 kW in power saving mode; 230 kW in push-to-pass mode) |
| Energy source | 28 kWh Lithium-ion battery by Williams Advanced Engineering [6] |
| Powertrain layout | Rear-wheel drive, center back motor position (mid-mounted) |
| Gearbox | Season 1: Hewland 5-speed sequential gearbox Season 2 Onwards: Various gearboxes |
| Gearbox controls | Semi-automatic wheel-placed paddle shifters |
| Suspension | Front: Double steel wishbones, pushrod operated with twin dampers and torsion bars Rear: Spring |
| Shock absorbers | Torsion bars and springs |
| Brakes | Disks and calipers of any material. Round sections in aluminium alloy[ clarification needed ] |
| Rims | 460 mm (18 in) diameter Magnesium OZ Racing rims |
| Tires | 650 mm diameter front, 260 mm wide 690 mm diameter back, 305 mm wide Sculpted Michelin tires (for rain and dry conditions) |
| Length | 5000 mm |
| Width | 1800 mm |
| Height | 1250 mm |
| Track | 1300 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3125 mm |
| Mass | 898 kg total mass (included driver) 200 kg battery mass |
In March 2016 it was decided by the FIA and Formula E Holdings that the upcoming 2nd generation cars would keep to a specification chassis in a bid to keep costs low in the category. [7] [8] The tender for the 2nd Generation car was won by Spark Racing Technology. [9]
The original battery specifications included a 200 kg (440 lb) cell-weight limit, a 200 kW peak power limit, and a maximum usable energy of 28 kWh. [10] For the 2018–2019 season, the specifications for the battery was a weight of 250 kg and 54 kWh energy, and peak power was 250 kW. The cells (18650VTC6) was to be made by Murata Manufacturing, the integration by Lucid Motors, and track handling by McLaren. [11]
Also new for the generation 2 cars was the inclusion of a halo crash protection device. [12]
The specifications for the Spark SRT05e are:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Acceleration | 2.8 s from 0–100 km/h (approximately) |
| Top speed | 280 km/h (FIA regulated) |
| Chassis material | Carbon fiber and aluminium monocoque |
| Body material | carbon fiber |
| Aerodynamic elements | Spoiler and airdam |
| Engine | Various |
| Engine power | 200 kW in normal race mode (225 kW in attack mode, [13] 250 kW in fanboost mode [14] ) |
| Energy source | 54 kWh battery by McLaren Applied Technologies [15] |
| Powertrain layout | Rear-wheel drive, center back engine position (mid-mounted) |
| Gearbox | Various single-speed gearboxes |
| Suspension | Double steel wishbones |
| Shock absorbers | Torsion bars and springs |
| Brakes | Front: 278 mm Brembo carbon disks and calipers Rear: 263 mm Brembo carbon disks and calipers with brake-by-wire |
| Rims | 460 mm (18 in) diameter rims |
| Tires | 650 mm diameter front, 260 mm wide 690 mm diameter back, 305 mm wide Michelin Pilot Sport All-Weather Treaded, one set per weekend [16] [17] |
| Length | 5160 mm |
| Width | 1770 mm |
| Height | 1050 mm |
| Track | 1553 mm front, 1505 mm rear |
| Wheelbase | 3100 mm |
| Mass | 900 kg total mass (included driver) 385 kg battery mass |
The 3rd generation of Formula E cars is expected to be lighter and smaller than the 2nd generation cars to allow for more wheel-to-wheel racing. [18] It will be the first formula car with both front and rear powertrains, with a 250 kW generator in the front being used for regenerative braking and a 350 kW engine in the rear for powering the vehicle. [18] It will be the first formula car not to feature rear hydraulic brakes, and will instead rely on the regenerative capabilities of the engines for braking on the rear wheels, and it is claimed that "at least 40% of the energy used within a race will be produced by regenerative braking during the race". [18] This contributes to the car, at the launch in 2022, being expected to become the world's most energy efficient race car ever. [19] Performance wise, the 3rd generation Formula E cars are expected to achieve around 2 to 4 seconds faster lap times in both qualifying and races compared to the 2nd generation cars. [20]
The specifications for the 3rd generation Formula E cars are:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Top speed | 320 km/h (FIA regulated) [18] |
| Chassis material | Carbon fiber and aluminium monocoque |
| Body material | Linen and carbon fiber, of which some is recycled carbon fibre from retired Gen2 cars [18] |
| Aerodynamic elements | Spoiler and airdam |
| Engine power | 350 kW [18] |
| Energy source | Battery cells with sustainably-sourced minerals; reused and recycled at end of life [18] 600 kW total power potential from regenerative braking (250 kW front generator, 350 kW rear motor) [18] |
| Fast charging | 600 kW ultra-high speed charging, almost twice as fast as any commercially available charger [19] |
| Powertrain layout | Front- and rear-mounted engine [18] |
| Gearbox | Various single-speed gearboxes |
| Suspension | |
| Shock absorbers | |
| Brakes | Front: Disks and calipers Rear: Non-hydraulic, regenerative [18] [ clarification needed ] |
| Rims | 460 or 510 mm OZ Racing magnesium wheels |
| Tyres | Tyre compound with 26% natural rubber and recycled fibres; recycled after racing [18] |
| Length | 5016 mm |
| Width | 1700 mm |
| Height | 1023 mm |
| Track | |
| Wheelbase | 2970 mm |
| Mass | 840 kg total mass (included driver) |
During the first season in 2014–2015, all teams used a Hewland 5-speed sequential gearbox operated by the driver semi-automatically via paddles on the steering wheel similar to other racing series. In the following seasons, regulations on gearboxes have been relaxed, and some teams have chosen to use either single-speed gears or all the way up to four gears. [21] A transmission with multiple gears can help keep the motor in its most efficient operating range, but whether an electric car needs multiple gears in the transmission depends heavily on the torque curve of the motor at different rotational speeds (r/min). [22] By season 4 in 2017–2018, all teams were running single-speed gearboxes. [23] Some single-speed Formula E cars have sometimes erroneously been described as having a "direct-drive" powertrain. However, FIA regulations for the gen 1 and 2 car have mandated a reduction gear, and Formula E cars without multi-speed gearboxes have thus far had a single-speed gear rather than a true direct-drive mechanism.
The second generation Formula E car from 2017 had a noise level of about 80 decibels, which is 10 dB louder than an average petrol road car or about as loud as a domestic vacuum cleaner. [24]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)Renault Sport or Renaultsport, was a motorsport, performance and special vehicles division for Renault-badged cars and later a sub-badge of Renault cars managed by Alpine. The first Renault Sport was officially established as a company in 1976 as a merger between the Alpine and Gordini competition departments. It was made a division and reorganised in 2002 and 2016. In December 2021, all Renault Sport operations were merged into an Alpine-led business unit. The Renault Sport car range under Alpine was completely phased out by the end of 2023.
Formula racing is any of several forms of open-wheeled single-seater motorsport. The origin of the term lies in the nomenclature that was adopted by the FIA for all of its post-World War II single-seater regulations, or formulae. The best known of these formulae are Formula One, Formula E, Formula Two, Formula Three, regional Formula Three and Formula Four. Common usage of "formula racing" encompasses other single-seater series, including the IndyCar Series and the Super Formula Championship.
Formula Ford, also known as F1600 and Formula F, is an entry-level class of single-seater, open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held across the world form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers. Formula Ford has traditionally been regarded as the first major stepping stone into formula racing after karting. The series typically sees career-minded drivers enter alongside amateurs and enthusiasts. Success in Formula Ford can lead directly to other junior formula series such as a Formula Renault 2.0 and Formula Three, or the W Series for female drivers.
Formula Renault are classes of formula racing popular in Europe and elsewhere. Regarded as an entry-level series to motor racing, it was founded in 1971, and was a respected series where drivers can learn advanced racecraft before moving on to higher formulas.
The Brabham BT49 is a Formula One racing car designed by South African Gordon Murray for the British Brabham team. The BT49 competed in the 1979 to 1982 Formula One World Championships and was used by Brazilian driver Nelson Piquet to win his first World Championship in 1981.
The Renault R25 was the Formula One car entered by Renault in the 2005 season. The chassis was designed by Bob Bell, James Allison, Tim Densham and Dino Toso with Pat Symonds overseeing the design and production of the car as executive director of Engineering and Bernard Dudot leading the engine design. The car won both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships in 2005, the first titles for any car racing with a French licence since the Matra MS80's triumph in the 1969 season. It also secured the first championship titles for a Formula One car racing with a Renault engine since the Williams FW19 in 1997 and also first Enstone-based Formula One car to won the world constructors' championship since the Benetton B195 in 1995.
Spec Racer Ford is a class of racing car used in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and other series road racing events. The Spec Racer Ford, manufactured and marketed by SCCA Enterprises, is a high performance, closed wheel, open cockpit, purpose-built race car intended for paved road courses, such as WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Road America, Watkins Glen, and many other tracks throughout North America. With more than 1,000 cars manufactured, it is the most successful purpose built road racing car in the United States.
The FIA Formula 3 European Championship was a European Formula Three (F3) auto racing competition, organised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). After one season of the FIA Formula 3 International Trophy, the FIA revived the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. The ten-event season included seven Formula 3 Euro Series rounds, two British Formula Three rounds and DTM-supporting round at Brands Hatch. From 2013, the series started running its own rounds, based upon the defunct Formula 3 Euro Series.
Formula E, officially the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, is an open-wheel single-seater motorsport championship for electric cars. The racing series is the highest class of competition for electrically powered single-seater racing cars. The inaugural championship race was held in Beijing in September 2014. Since 2020, the series has FIA world championship status.
The 2014–15 FIA Formula E Championship was the inaugural season of a new FIA championship for electrically powered cars. It began on 13 September 2014 at Beijing in China and finished on 28 June 2015 in London after eleven races. Nelson Piquet Jr. came first in the overall standings, and so became the first ever Formula E champion.
The Spark-Renault SRT_01E, also known as the SRT01-e or the Spark Gen1, was an electric formula race car designed for the inaugural season of Formula E, in 2014–15. The car was the result of a 10-month collaboration between Spark Racing Technology, McLaren Electronic Systems, Williams Advanced Engineering, Dallara and Renault. The car was used until the end of Formula E's fourth season in 2018, after which it was replaced by the SRT05e.
Formula Alfa is a junior racing formula for single seater cars. It is intended to function as the young kart racing graduate's first experience of car racing.
The 2017–18 FIA Formula E Championship was the fourth season of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) Formula E motor racing. It featured the 2017–18 ABB FIA Formula E Championship, a motor racing championship for open-wheel electric racing cars, recognised by FIA, the sport's governing body, as the highest class of competition for electrically powered vehicles. Twenty drivers representing ten teams contested twelve ePrix, which started in Hong Kong on 2 December 2017 and ended on 15 July 2018 in New York City as they competed for the Drivers' and Teams' Championships.
Spark Racing Technology (SRT) is a motorsport manufacturer specialized in the development and engineering of high-performance electric vehicles and modules. The company was founded by Frédéric Vasseur to become the sole chassis supplier for the FIA Formula E Championship but is now involved in other projects as well.
The 2018–19 FIA Formula E Championship was the fifth season of the FIA Formula E championship, a motor racing championship for electrically-powered vehicles recognised by motorsport's governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), as the highest class of competition for electric open-wheel racing cars.
The 2019–20 FIA Formula E Championship was the sixth season of the FIA Formula E championship, a motor racing championship for electrically powered vehicles recognised by motorsport's governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), as the highest class of competition for electric open-wheel racing cars.
The Spark SRT05E, also known as the Spark Gen2 was an electric formula race car designed for use in the FIA Formula E Championship. The car was the successor to the SRT01-e, and was constructed by Spark Racing Technology with assistance from Dallara. It was used as the base car for all manufacturers and teams from the 2018-2019 FIA Formula E Championship. The car featured a new 56 kW⋅h battery from McLaren Applied Technologies, alongside the Halo cockpit protection system, and was the first Formula E car capable of completing a full-race distance.
The Spark Odyssey 21, stylized as ODYSSEY 21, is an electric off-road racecar designed by Spark Racing Technology for the Extreme E championship.
Formula E Holdings Limited, (FEH) are the owners, promoters, and acting holding company of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. Founded in 2012 by Alejandro Agag, with funding from entrepreneur Enrique Bañuelos, in order to fulfil an FIA tender to create an all-electric international racing series, FEH have overseen all five editions of the Formula E Championship from their registered bases in Hong Kong and London.
The Formula E Gen3, also known as Spark Gen3 or simply Gen3, is an electric formula race car designed for use in the FIA Formula E Championship. The car is the successor to the SRT05e, and is constructed by Spark Racing Technology. It is used as the base car for all manufacturers and teams from the 2022–23 Formula E World Championship onwards.