Cars & Technology
Forging the future of electric mobility
Formula E brings racing tech to the road. With some of the biggest car and racing brands going head to head on the streets, Formula E is more than just a racing series - it's a battle for the future. Our cars, powered by pure electricity, pave the way for the cars of tomorrow.
Welcome to the future. Welcome to Gen2.
While the championship might be a few years old, the technology racing around the track is ever-changing.
The Batmobile-esque all-electric racer has double the energy storage capacity of the Gen1 car, meaning it can complete a whole race, so no more mid-race car swaps. With 250kW of power, the Gen2 will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 2.8-seconds and go on to a top speed of 280km/h. Greater speeds, more action on track and with just one car per driver - there's everything to lose.
Gen2: Design
Welcome to the Gen2 car. All new from the tyres up to the tip of the roll hoop, the next generation ABB FIA Formula E Championship car was designed by SPARK (the company behind the Gen1 car) and also by the FIA - motorsport's governing body.
The radical Batmobile-esque aero update not only looks unlike any other racing car before it but it also helps the driver to race.
The aim of the design is not only to increase downforce, but to allow the driver to maintain aerodynamic grip when closely following another car, which helps when overtaking.
Most of the car’s downforce now comes from the underfloor, with the huge diffuser providing grip even when behind another car. This allows the rear wing to be downsized, with the unique X-wing adding to the cars extreme looks.
To reduce turbulence to the following car, the front wheels are partially enclosed and bodywork behind them cleans up the turbulence and routes along the flanks of the car.
Gen2: Battery
The most notable change comes underneath the bodywork - the battery. With double the energy storage capacity of the Gen1 car, there's no need for drivers to make a mid-race car swap, with the car capable of covering the full race distance.
The battery uses a different construction and cell technology to the outgoing battery. Now sitting inside the monocoque chassis and using a greater number of cylindrical ‘battery’ cells. It uses a greater voltage for faster charging and less degradation over the race distance.
Alongside the improved longevity, the maximum power output of the car has increased to 250kW - an increase of 50kW that will see the potential top speed of Formula E reach 280 km/h (174 mph).
Gen2: Powertrain
Like its predecessor, the Gen2 car's powertrain is made up of the inverter, the motor and the transmission.
The Inverter
The inverter takes the electricity that is created by the battery and converts the charge from a direct current (DC) to an alternating current (AC), which is used by the motor to drive the wheels. The teams and manufacturers were free to use their own design, with the main benefits to be found in terms of size, weight and packaging.
The Motor (Rotor and Stator)
The motor takes the energy produced by the battery and uses it to drive the wheels. It's split into two components - the rotor and stator. The rotor contains magnets, while the stator comprises of coils of copper wire. When an electric current is passed through the wires it generates a magnetic field - the magnets in the rotor are attracted and repelled, and spin the motor.
The Transmission
The transmission is used by the driver to make the most efficient use of the power delivered from the battery via the motor.
Gen2: Brakes
New for the Gen2 car is a brake-by-wire system (BBW).
In past seasons, when the driver brakes, they get both the deceleration from the brakes themselves and a varying amount of slowing from regenerative braking effect (regen) on the rear wheels.
Although the driver could adjust the Regen settings from the steering wheel, they could still be caught out by a change in braking effort, causing them to lock up or spin.
Now, with the brake-by-wire system (BBW), this only affects the rear brakes. The driver presses the brake pedal as usual. Then the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) balances how much braking the driver wants and what braking effect will be supplied by the Regen set up. The ECU then only applies the rear brakes enough to balance the two. This gives a balanced and consistent braking effect for the driver
With the new system in place, teams are allowed to fit brake ducts to the front brakes for the first time, to tailor the brake cooling to suit the track conditions.
Gen2: Tyres and Suspension
Tyres
The Gen2 car features the new MichelinPilot Sport all-weather tyre, which is specifically designed for the unique demands of electric street racing. Not only is the tyre lighter than its predecessors, but it also boasts significantly lower rolling resistance and a new graphic design.
Suspension
The job of the suspension is to keep the car balanced through the corners. On the Gen2, there’s a fixed design at the front although the manufacturers are able to fit and set up their own dampers. The rear suspension design, however, is down to the team, with the wishbones, rockers and spring/dampers tailored to suit the powertrain.
The suspension can be set-up and the ride-height adapted to suit the specific street circuit.
Gen2: Halo
New from the 2018/19 season onwards, the Gen2 cars feature the new FIA Halo head protection device, along with an innovative strip of LED lighting, which is integrated into the chassis.
The lighting on the Halo glows magenta (when the driver has engaged Attack Mode) and blue (when the car is in Race Mode), meaning fans can easily follow the strategy of their favourite team or driver.
The Halo is made from top-grade high-strength titanium, with walls 4mm thick. It can withstand a 125-tonne force - that’s the equivalent of 14 other Formula E cars stacked on top of it.
Experience a Formula E car
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Gen 1 to Gen 2: the final car swap
Gen1 Vs Gen2: the comparison
| Specifications | Gen2 | vs Gen1 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 5160mm | +160mm |
| Width | 1770mm | -10mm |
| Height | 1050mm | Unchanged |
| Front track | 1553mm | +25mm |
| Rear track | 1505mm | +13mm |
| Ride height | 75mm (max) | Unchanged |
| Wheelbase | 3100mm | Unchanged |
| Minimum weight (inc. driver) | 903kg (battery 385kg) | +20kg (battery +65kg) |
| Maximum power | 250kW, equivalent to 335bhp | +50kW, +67bhp |
| Race Mode (maximum power available) | 200Kw, equivalent to 270bhp | +20kW, +30bhp |
| Maximum power regeneration | 250kW | +100kW |
| Maximum speed | 280km/h (174mph) | +55km/h (+34mph) |
| 0-100km/h (0-62mph) | 2.8s | -0.2s |
