Get ready to rev up your engines and dive into the world of electric racing!
The Future of Speed is Electric
Formula E, an electric racing competition, is not just about speed; it's a technological pioneer that's shaping the future of transportation. On December 6th, 20 cars will race through the streets of São Paulo, Brazil, reaching speeds that rival those of Formula One. But here's where it gets controversial: these electric vehicles (EVs) are not only fast, but they're also pushing the boundaries of battery technology, which could soon be powering your daily commute.
The São Paulo ePrix marks the beginning of Formula E's 12th season, a journey that started in 2014 and has since seen incredible progress. The cars have evolved, becoming almost as fast as their Formula One counterparts, and the next generation promises even greater speeds. But the real story lies beyond the race track.
The Fastest EVs: On and Off the Track
While Formula E cars are incredibly quick, the fastest EVs in the world are found beyond professional racing. In 2025, the Yangwang U9 Xtreme, produced by BYD, became the fastest production car ever, electric or otherwise, reaching speeds of over 496 km/h (308 mph). And that's not all; experimental EVs, like the Venturi Buckeye Bullet 3 built by Ohio State University, have set world records with two-way average top speeds of 341 mph (549 km/h).
So, how do Formula E cars keep up with these speed demons? It's all about the batteries, and the designers have pulled out all the stops to maximize their potential.
Unleashing the Power of Batteries
At first glance, the batteries in Formula E cars might seem ordinary. "The battery in your TV remote shares the same fundamental chemical reaction as those in road vehicles and motorsport batteries," explains Douglas Campling, General Manager of Motorsport at Fortescue Zero.
Every battery has two key components: the cathode and the anode. When stored, these are separated by internal barriers. But when in use, they're connected in a circuit, allowing electrons to flow from the anode to the cathode, powering everything from your smartphone to a race car.
However, designing a battery that can provide enough energy to propel a race car at top speed for an entire race is a massive challenge. In the early days of Formula E, this wasn't achievable, leading to memorable mid-race car swaps. But now, thanks to advancements in battery technology, drivers can finish a race in the same car they started.
The newer batteries can store significantly more electrical energy than their predecessors. Formula E drivers start a race with approximately 52 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, which is enough to power a fridge-freezer for almost two months. But here's the catch: a Formula E race can consume up to 90 kWh, according to Campling.
It's not just about storing energy; the battery must also be able to release it quickly and efficiently. "The Formula E pack can deliver and receive any energy at a power of 600 kilowatts," says Campling, which is equivalent to over 800 horsepower. "Your Toyota Prius battery, on the other hand, delivers less than half of that."
There's also the C-rate, which measures how quickly the battery can discharge relative to its capacity. "The C-rate of the cells we use in Formula E batteries is extremely high," Campling explains, allowing for rapid charging and discharging.
To achieve this, numerous battery "cells," each about the size of an A5 notebook, are stacked into modules of a few hundred. Between each pair of cells is a cooling plate, and structural members provide strength to the battery assembly, which in turn supports the entire chassis of the car. "The chassis itself wouldn't pass the squeeze test and torsional stiffness test without the battery's support," says Campling, highlighting the weight-saving benefits.
The batteries use lithium-ion chemistry, common in electric vehicles, but with a twist: they include the metals nickel, manganese, and cobalt (NMC), which enable higher-power applications.
Charging Strategies: Regenerative Braking and Pit Boost
To address the energy shortage, designers have implemented two clever strategies. The first is regenerative braking, where the motors on both axles go into generator mode, allowing the wheels to recharge the battery. This not only eliminates standard friction brakes on the rear axle, reducing particulate pollution, but also generates electricity to power the car.
Formula E often adds corners or chicanes to existing tracks to maximize regenerative braking opportunities. "We ensure there are enough braking zones to regenerate energy," says Beth Paretta, Vice President of Sporting at Formula E.
The second strategy, introduced in the most recent season, is mid-race recharging. Pit Boost, developed by Fortescue Zero, allows for incredibly fast charging, delivering 3.85 kWh in just 30 seconds at a rate of 600 kW. This technology adds a layer of strategic complexity to the sport, as drivers must decide when to come in for a charge.
But the impact of this technology extends beyond racing. As the range of electric vehicles improves, "range anxiety" is being replaced by "charge anxiety." Faster charging could alleviate this anxiety, allowing car manufacturers to boast about their vehicles' superior charging speeds.
Transferring Technology to Everyday EVs
Many of the approaches developed for Formula E can be transferred to normal electric vehicles and hybrids. For instance, Fortescue Zero's Elysia battery management system, which uses sensors and software to detect faults and improve performance, is being added to all Jaguar Land Rover vehicles, enabling faster charging and other improvements.
Just as rear-view mirrors and anti-lock brakes were developed for racing and then adopted for everyday use, the same will happen with future vehicle technologies. "The racetrack is a laboratory," says Paretta. So, when those race cars roar off the starting line in São Paulo, remember that the technology they're using could soon be in your car, revolutionizing the way we drive.
