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.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Peek Traffic expands distributor network
    January 17, 2014
    Peek Traffic has expanded its distributor network, signing an exclusive distributor agreement Texas-based Wildcat Electric, which will promote and support Peek Traffic’s products in the state, including cabinets, controllers, system software, monitors, video systems, signals and power supplies. Mike Hobbs, Peek Traffic VP of sales and operations said “We have seen the potential of growth and expansion in the traffic management industry in Texas. Therefore, we decided to appoint Wildcat Electric Supply as
  • Electric motor market expected to flourish in the next decade
    September 19, 2012
    Developments in the electric vehicle market are expected to boost growth in the electric motor market according to consulting and research organisations IDTechEX and Frost & Sullivan. As electric vehicles head towards mass production, the model of electric motor supply also requires changes in the future. In its 2012 market forecast with a ten year horizon, IDTechEX, a consulting and research organisation, argues that: “Any motor manufacturer without a compelling line up of electric vehicles by 2025 is sign
  • IEEE survey reveals driverless cars are the future
    July 15, 2014
    IEEE has released the findings of a survey that revealed expert opinions about the future of driverless cars, from challenges to mass adoption, essential autonomous technologies, features in the car of the future, and geographic adoption. More than 200 researchers, academicians, practitioners, university students, society members and government agencies in the field of autonomous vehicles, participated in the survey. When survey respondents were asked to assign a ranking to six possible roadblocks to th
  • BMW i3 could ‘boost electric vehicle market’
    July 31, 2013
    According to Frost & Sullivan, BMW's ibrand could have a halo effect as did the Prius for Toyota. It could boost the market for electric vehicles which has had a slow uptake rate and also position BMW's brand as the most innovative premium OEM. Commenting on the launch of the new BMW i3, the electric supermini for sale in November, Frost & Sullivan said: "BMW is the first of the traditional premium manufacturers to take a leap of faith into the EV space with the i3. Like most car companies, BMW also sells 7