How has Formula E influenced the development and acceptance of modern electric vehicles? Read this article to find out.
The climate crisis is one of the biggest issues facing the world today. As our climate changes, scientists across the globe are demanding that governments take immediate action to reverse the damage and save the planet.
Formula E is a motor-racing championship established and operated by the FIA; the association responsible for major motorsports like Formula One. How has Formula E impacted the development of electric vehicles (EVs)? Read on to find out.
What is Formula E?
Formula E was established by the FIA in 2011. The first Formula E race took place in Beijing in 2014, and the championship is now held in cities across the world throughout the year.
The Formula E championship is made up of 11 teams. These teams include Nissan, Panasonic and Envision Virgin. There are two drivers assigned to each team, which means every race sees a total of 22 drivers take to the track.
Formula E uses a different format and structure when compared to other motorsports. Teams race for 45 minutes, after which each driver completes an additional lap. At the end of the 45 minutes, the number of laps completed by the lead driver must be completed by the remaining drivers. The driver who crosses the finish line first after completing all laps is crowned the winner.
Formula E Vehicles
The format of the race isn’t the only difference in Formula E. The most obvious change is in the vehicles used.
Formula One cars are extremely fast vehicles that use state-of-the-art petrol-powered engines and aerodynamic chassis design to achieve incredible speeds. The power and speed of the sport are why it has been so popular for so many years, and why so many people visit Unibet online betting platforms to place wagers on upcoming races.
On the surface, Formula E cars might look the same as Formula One cars, but they are very different under the hood. Rather than petrol, Formula E engines are powered by a 250kW battery. This change is immediately noticeable when you hear Formula E cars, as they are much quieter than their petrol-powered counterparts.
However, the fact that they are powered by batteries doesn’t mean Formula E cars are slow, far from it. These incredible vehicles can exceed speeds of 170 mph.
The Impact of Formula E on EV
Formula E is a thrilling spectator sport, but it’s also proved pivotal in furthering the development and mainstream acceptance of EVs.
In the past, people regarded EVs as weak and underpowered, in no way comparable to traditional petrol or diesel cars. However, what Formula E has done is clearly demonstrate that EVs can be just as powerful and impressive. The sport has immediately dispelled this long-held myth about EVs.
Formula E has also been at the forefront of research and development. The advancements made by the sport in EV battery design have been adopted by EV manufacturers and used to produce high-quality EVs for the consumer market.
Finally, Formula E has made EV cool. This might seem inconsequential, but it’s something that cannot be overlooked. By making EVs cool, more consumers will be willing to drive them, and we have in fact seen EV sales increase significantly since the first Formula E season in 2014.
Conclusion
Petrol and diesel-powered passenger vehicles are responsible for nearly 40% of all traffic-related carbon emissions. If we want to tackle the climate crisis, reducing this is essential. Formula E has been instrumental in the development of EVs and is encouraging more and more people to leave petrol and diesel behind. In doing so, Formula E is helping us address the climate emergency that faces all of us today.