Formula E: electric racing cars

Just as in Formula 1 the cars are pushed to the maximum, and new technologies and products are investigated that may end up being used by the cars that circulate on our roads, in Formula E the same is done for the electrical cars.

Formula E cars face extreme conditions in each race. They must accelerate quickly, take tight turns, endure harsh braking and compete in a variety of climates, from sweltering heat to bitter cold.

This demanding environment forces engineers to constantly innovate to develop more powerful and long-lasting batteries, more efficient motors, more sophisticated energy recovery systems and lighter and stronger chassis.

A clear example is energy management. In Formula E, drivers have to manage the battery very precisely to reach the finish line. This has driven the development of more efficient energy management systems that optimize battery use in electric street cars, extending their autonomy.

Another case is that of batteries. Batteries are the key component of any electric vehicle. In Formula E, battery capacity and performance have improved dramatically in recent years.

This has allowed the autonomy of single-seaters to be increased, reducing recharging time and making battery technology more viable for use in street cars.

And another difference is in the engines. Formula E’s electric motors are incredibly efficient. They convert almost 90% of electrical energy into kinetic energy. This greater efficiency translates into lower energy consumption and, therefore, longer ranges with fewer emissions.

Formula E was created 10 years ago, and has 11 teams that race with 22 racing cars quite similar to those of Formula 1, except that they run on a battery and an electric motor.

The batteries of these cars provide 350 KW of power and reach speeds of 320 km/h, which is not far from the speed achieved in Formula 1.

They work a lot on battery research, since they must be as light as possible (their weight cannot exceed 284 kg), and provide great energy for the maximum amount of time, in addition to being able to recharge in a very short time. And to achieve all this, these batteries are immersed in a cooling fluid.

They have nothing to do with those of normal electric cars, but many of the advances obtained will end up being applied by the rest of the electric cars.

Apart from being a good test bed, it is a show that attracts a greater number of people every day, and where companies invest a lot of money.