Formula E car
{{Short description|Type of electric auto racing car}}
File:António Félix da Costa NYC ePrix.png's Andretti-BMW car at the 2017 New York City ePrix]]
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.[https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2021/september/watch-explained-how-formula-e-designs-and-builds-its-race-tracks EXPLAINED: How Formula E race tracks are designed and built | FIA Formula E]
Generations
As of 2024 there have been three major generations of Formula E cars:
- 1st generation (2014–15 to 2017–18)
- 1st season: 2014–15
- 2nd season: 2015–16
- 3rd season: 2016–17
- 4th season: 2017–18
- 2nd generation (2018–19 to 2021–22)
- 5th season: 2018–19
- 6th season: 2019–20
- 7th season: 2020–21
- 8th season: 2021-22
- 3rd generation (from 2023)
- 9th season: 2022-23
- 10th season: 2023-24
1st generation (2014–15 to 2017–18)
{{main|Spark-Renault SRT_01E}}
File:Spark-Renault SRT 01 E (Formula E).JPG (Spark Gen1) which was used from season 1 through 4 (2015–16 to 2017–18)]]
Even though the FIA originally planned for the category to be open to various chassis manufacturers,[http://www.fiaformulae.com/guide/car Overview] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519094810/http://www.fiaformulae.com/guide/car |date=2014-05-19 }} - Official site 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{{cite web |last1=Ferret |first1=Olivier |title=Renault s'implique en Formula E |url=http://motorsport.nextgen-auto.com/Renault-s-implique-en-Formula-E,60856.html |website=Nextgen-Auto.com |language=fr |date=15 May 2013}} 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.(fr) Nicolas Carpentiers, [http://www.f1i.com/magazine/magazine-features/formule-e-de-lelectricite-dans-lere-nouvelle/ Formula E : de l’électricité dans l’ère (nouvelle)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531134437/http://www.f1i.com/magazine/magazine-features/formule-e-de-lelectricite-dans-lere-nouvelle/ |date=2016-05-31 }}, F1i.com, October 21, 2015, Retrieved October 26, 2015
The specifications for the Spark-Renault SRT_01E are:
| class="wikitable" width="50%"
|+ 1st generation Formula E car |
| Property
! Value |
|---|
| Acceleration
|{{val|3|u=seconds}} from {{val|0 |
| 100|u=km/h}} (approximately) |
| Top speed
|225 km/h (FIA regulated) |
| Chassis material |
| Body material
|Kevlar and carbon fiber |
| Aerodynamic elements
| Spoiler and airdam |
| Electric motor
| Season 1: McLaren Electronic Systems{{cite web|last1=Corrêa|first1=João|title=McLaren the power behind Formula E|url=http://www.motorsport.com/openwheel/news/mclaren-the-power-behind-formula-e/|website=Motorsport.com|accessdate=29 January 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006173520/http://www.motorsport.com/openwheel/news/mclaren-the-power-behind-formula-e/|archivedate=6 October 2013|date=10 September 2013}} |
| 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(fr) [http://fr.espnf1.com/williams/motorsport/story/111089.html Williams s'implique en FE] - ESPNF1, June 12, 2013 |
| Powertrain layout
| Rear-wheel drive, center back motor position (mid-mounted) |
| Gearbox
|Season 1: Hewland 5-speed sequential gearbox |
| Gearbox controls |
| Suspension
|Front: Double steel wishbones, pushrod operated with twin dampers and torsion bars |
| Shock absorbers
| Torsion bars and springs |
| Brakes
|Disks and calipers of any material. Round sections in aluminium alloy{{clarify|date=May 2022}} |
| Rims
|460 mm (18 in) diameter Magnesium OZ Racing rims |
| Tires
| 650 mm diameter front, 260 mm wide |
| Length
|5000 mm |
| Width
|1800 mm |
| Height
|1250 mm |
| Track
|1300 mm |
| Wheelbase
|3125 mm |
| Mass
|898 kg total mass (included driver) |
2nd generation (2018–19 to 2021–22)
{{main|Spark SRT05e}}
File:Nico Rosberg Formula E Gen2 car 2018 Berlin E-Prix on track.jpg (Spark Gen2) which was used from season 5 through 7 (from 2015–16 to 2017–18).]]
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2016/03/formula-e-to-have-single-chassis-and-battery-suppliers/|title=Formula E to remain with single chassis and battery suppliers|last=McConnachie|first=Katy|date=2016-03-04|website=The Checkered Flag|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-01-01}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/fe/news/123259/formula-e-will-%0Aever-be-open-chassis|title=Formula E boss Agag does not want chassis competition|last=Mitchell|first=Scott|website=Autosport.com|date=15 March 2016 |language=en|access-date=2019-01-01}} The tender for the 2nd Generation car was won by Spark Racing Technology.{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/fe/news/125840/fe-set-to-adopt-cockpit-protection-device|title=Spark to build new Formula E car, cockpit protection device likely|last=Mitchell|first=Scott|website=Autosport.com|date=24 August 2016 |language=en|access-date=2019-01-01}}
The original battery specifications included a {{cvt|200|kg}} cell-weight limit, a 200 kW peak power limit, and a maximum usable energy of 28 kWh.{{cite web |title=INVITATION TO TENDER FOR SOLE SUPPLY CONTRACT |url=http://legal.fia.com/web%5Cappeloffre.nsf/E93EA1FEBD58EBA2C1257F7300593D40/%24FILE/2016%2003%2011%20ITT%20FE%20battery%20system%20(3).pdf?openelement |publisher=FIA |access-date=22 January 2019}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://blog.caranddriver.com/lucid-formerly-known-as-atieva-will-be-the-sole-battery-pack-supplier-for-formula-e/ |title=Lucid Will Be the Sole Battery-Pack Supplier for Formula E Racing |publisher=Car and Driver |date=October 27, 2016 |first=Bengt |last=Halvorson |access-date=November 8, 2016 |archive-date=November 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109024806/http://blog.caranddriver.com/lucid-formerly-known-as-atieva-will-be-the-sole-battery-pack-supplier-for-formula-e/ |url-status=dead }}
Also new for the generation 2 cars was the inclusion of a halo crash protection device.[https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/championship/attack-mode Attack Mode | FIA Formula E]
The specifications for the Spark SRT05e are:
3rd generation (from 2022)
{{main|Formula E Gen3}}
File:2023-04-21 Motorsport, ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Berlin E-Prix 2023 1DX 0632 by Stepro.jpg (Spark Gen3) which was used from season 9 through 10 (2022-23 to 2023–24).]]
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.[https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2022/march/gen3-unveil-monaco Formula E Gen3 race car to be unveiled in Monaco | FIA Formula E] 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. 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". This contributes to the car, at the launch in 2022, being expected to become the world's most energy efficient race car ever.[https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2022/april/gen3-facts GEN3 FACTS: Performance x Efficiency x Sustainability | FIA Formula E] 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.[https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/28/formula-e-gen3-the-worlds-most-efficient-race-car/ Formula E Gen3: The world's most efficient race car | TechCrunch]
The specifications for the 3rd generation Formula E cars are:
| class="wikitable" width="50%"
|+ 3rd generation Formula E car |
| Property
! Value |
|---|
| Top speed |
| Chassis material |
| Body material
| Linen and carbon fiber, of which some is recycled carbon fibre from retired Gen2 cars |
| Aerodynamic elements
| Spoiler and airdam |
| Engine power |
| Energy source
| Battery cells with sustainably-sourced minerals; reused and recycled at end of life |
| Fast charging
| 600 kW ultra-high speed charging, almost twice as fast as any commercially available charger |
| Powertrain layout |
| Gearbox
|Various single-speed gearboxes |
| Suspension
| |
| Shock absorbers
| |
| Brakes
|Front: Disks and calipers |
| Rims
|460 or 510 mm OZ Racing magnesium wheels |
| Tyres
| Tyre compound with 26% natural rubber and recycled fibres; recycled after racing |
| Length
|5016 mm |
| Width
|1700 mm |
| Height
|1023 mm |
| Track
| |
| Wheelbase
|2970 mm |
| Mass
|840 kg total mass (included driver) |
Transmission
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.[https://www.juliusbaer.com/en/insights/energy-transition/the-abc-of-formula-e/ The ABC of Formula E] 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).[https://www.hewland.com/formula-e-transmission-evolution/ Formula E Transmission Evolution - Hewland Transmissions] By season 4 in 2017–2018, all teams were running single-speed gearboxes.[https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/electric/formula-e-powertrain/ Formula E: the electric racing powertrain, explained | CAR Magazine] 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.
Sound
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.{{Cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/sports/auto-racing/how-loud-will-the-formula-e-race-get|title = What people are hearing at Montreal's inaugural Formula e event}}
See also
- Formula E
- 2014–15 Formula E Championship
- 2015–16 Formula E Championship
- 2016–17 Formula E Championship
- 2017–18 Formula E Championship
- 2018–19 Formula E Championship
- 2019–20 Formula E Championship
- 2020–21 Formula E World Championship
- 2021–22 Formula E World Championship
- 2022–23 Formula E World Championship
- 2023–24 Formula E World Championship
Notes and references
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.fiaformulae.com/ Official site]
- (fr) [http://abcmoteur.fr/sport-auto/des-2014-f1-championnat-electrique/ La Spark-Renault SRT01E en images] - Abcmoteur.fr, September 22, 2013
{{Formula E}}