Skip to main content

Sparking an interest in EVs – the electric racing car

President of motorsport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Jean Todt and Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E Holdings revealed the much-anticipated new Spark-Renault SRT01E fully-electric Formula E single-seat racing car during the opening day of the 65th International Frankfurt Motor Show. The SRT01E has been designed and built by Spark Racing Technology, together with a consortium of the leading manufacturers in motorsport, and will compete in the inaugural FIA Formula
September 11, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
President of motorsport’s governing body, the 7113 Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Jean Todt and Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E Holdings revealed the much-anticipated new Spark-2453 Renault SRT01E fully-electric Formula E single-seat racing car during the opening day of the 65th International Frankfurt Motor Show.

The SRT01E has been designed and built by Spark Racing Technology, together with a consortium of the leading manufacturers in motorsport, and will compete in the inaugural FIA Formula E Championship - the world’s first global electric race series beginning in September 2014.

The vast range of technical expertise being used by Spark Racing Technology includes a consortium consisting of McLaren, Renault and Dallara. McLaren Electronic Systems will supply the transmission, electronics and powertrain for the car, while technical partner Renault SAS will use its technological expertise to optimise the electric and electronic layout and performance of the powertrain.

Italian firm Dallara will produce the chassis with tyres being supplied by tyre partner Michelin. Williams Advanced Engineering, part of the Williams group of companies that includes the world famous Williams F1 Team, will design and assemble the batteries that will power the car and Qualcom Halo wireless electric vehicle charging (WEVC) technology will be adapted to be fitted into the track safety cars so they can be wirelessly charged.
 
Launched by the FIA, Formula E is a brand new motor racing championship featuring Formula cars powered exclusively by electric energy.

The FIA says it represents "a vision for the future of the motor industry over the coming decades".

Investors believe that motor racing can help to tackle the image problem which electric cars have and serve as a framework for research and development around the electric vehicle, accelerating general interest in these cars and promoting sustainability.

Related Content

  • June 20, 2013
    Rio de Janeiro launches electric car partnership
    A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed by the Rio de Janeiro State Government and leaders from Brazil's public-private sectors to accelerate zero-emission transportation in Rio de Janeiro. The partners for this historic deal are Renault-Nissan Alliance, Petrobras Distribuidora, Light, Ampla and Rio Negocios.
  • January 30, 2015
    Security loopholes found in BMW’s connected drive
    On 30 January, security loopholes in BMW vehicles equipped with connected drive technologies were revealed. Believed to affect 2.2 million BMW vehicles worldwide, these flaws in the software allow thieves to unlock doors and track car data through a mobile phone without leaving a trace. The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has long advocated for secure, open networks for vehicle connectivity. Vehicle manufacturers have argued that only closed networks can be truly secure. In fact, the loop
  • December 2, 2016
    Cars reinvented: huge new opportunities and dangers, says IDTechEx
    The new IDTechEx report, Electric Car Technology and Forecasts 2017-2027 finds that the biggest change in cars for one hundred years is now starting. It is driven by totally new requirements and capabilities. They will cause huge new businesses to appear but some giants currently making cars and their parts will spectacularly go bankrupt. Cities will ban private cars but encourage cars as autonomous taxis and rental vehicles. Already 65 per cent of cars in China are bought by businesses. The Japanese wa
  • February 3, 2012
    Johnson Controls-Saft to supply batteries for China EV platforms
    Johnson Controls-Saft, a specialist in the development and manufacture of advanced lithium-ion batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles, will supply the complete battery system for two electric vehicle platforms, which will be launched by the Beijing Electric Vehicle Company (BEVC), a subsidiary of Beijing Automotive Industry Company (BAIC).