With the rapid changes in the world, concerns over sustainability have been raised in all industries and corners of society. Motorsport is no different, and as a result of that, Formula E was created. Officially known as the FIA Formula E World Championship, Formula E is a motorsport series that uses exclusively electric cars.
The competition was created to promote the development and popularization of electric vehicles and encourage sustainability in motorsports. Created in 2014, it has drawn attention worldwide due to its sustainability initiatives, attracting major world-renowned car manufacturers such as Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche.
A Formula E season usually consists of several races held on temporary urban circuits in cities around the world. The first race in the history of the series was held in Beijing and had Lucas di Grassi as its first winner, while the championship would ultimately go on to be won by driver Nelson Piquet Jr. Despite not winning the championship, Lucas is a big name in the series and known worldwide. Besides being the most successful driver in the sport's history, he was the Formula E champion in 2017 and currently competes for the Mahindra Racing team. In addition to di Grassi, drivers like Stoffel Vandoorne, Sam Bird, and Sacha Fenestraz compete in Formula E.
From left to right: drivers Lucas di Grassi, Nelson Piquet Jr., Stoffel Vandoorne, Sam Bird, and Sacha Fenestraz
Formula E Characteristics
Formula E cars are fully electric and have specific technical characteristics for the series. They are powered by electric motors, and teams compete using their own powertrains, which include the engine, transmission, and control systems. Formula E races are contested by time rather than distance formats or a certain number of laps. Drivers compete on street circuits in city centers, and are usually 2.5 to 3 kilometers long.
One of the distinguishing features of Formula E is the "Attack Mode," where drivers must pass through a specific zone of the track to gain an extra boost of power for a short period. This adds a tactical strategy to the race, as drivers must balance timing to use this feature. Aiming to promote technological innovation and awareness of electric mobility, the series has proved popular with racing fans but is also attracting attention from a new audience: those interested in sustainability.
Formula E is considered sustainable for several reasons:
1. Electric vehicles: All Formula E cars are powered exclusively by electric motors, eliminating the exhaust emissions of vehicles powered by fossil fuels. This contributes to reducing air pollution and greenhouse gases, helping to combat climate change and improving air quality in cities.
NEOM McLaren cars, Formula E 2022
2. Renewable energy: During Formula E races, the energy used to charge cars comes from renewable sources. Formula E circuits are equipped with renewable energy generation systems, such as solar panels and generators that operate with biofuels. This means that races can be held without relying on non-renewable and polluting energy sources.
3. Technology development: Formula E has driven the development of technologies related to electric vehicles. Teams compete using their own powertrains, encouraging innovation and continual improvement in electric propulsion technologies. As a result, advances made in Formula E have the potential to translate into gains in road-going electric vehicles, making them more efficient, affordable, and sustainable.
4. Awareness and promotion of electric mobility: Formula E plays an important role in raising public awareness of electric vehicles and promoting electric mobility. By holding races in urban centers worldwide, the series attracts the attention of a broad and diverse audience, helping to popularize and normalize electric vehicles as a viable and sustainable alternative.
Event organized in collaboration with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Formula E 2023.
5. Partnerships with sustainability initiatives: Formula E also seeks to establish partnerships with organizations and initiatives that promote sustainability and positive environmental actions. These partnerships include offsetting race-related carbon emissions and encouraging public transport and more sustainable modes of transportation during events, among other sustainability-oriented practices.
These aspects combined make Formula E a motorsport series that stands out for its commitment to sustainability and the promotion of electric vehicles as a viable and environmentally friendly solution for transport.
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