Action from the first Formula E race in Beijing. From season two, teams will be able to develop their own batteries and powertrains.
- Formula E to become centre for EV development
London, UK – Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag has outlined his plans for the second season of the fully-electric FIA Formula E Championship in which he hopes to attract ‘three or four’ manufacturers – reinforcing the series as the centre of electric vehicle development and also help it gain world championship status.
In an interview released on the official Formula E website and social media channels (www.fiaformulae.com), the series boss talks about his plans to move away from the current one-make format and open up the regulations to allow full manufacturer involvement. Teams would then be able to develop their own powertrains for year two in 2015/16 and their own batteries from season three.
"In year two the teams will be able to build their own batteries and their own motors,” said Agag. “They could build their own whole car if they wanted. But the regulations are quite strict and they don’t allow a lot of development in aerodynamics, but they do allow development in motor and battery. I would hope that we have three or four different makers of motors and batteries in the championship for year two."
This move would also pave the way for Formula E to make a bid for world championship status with the series requiring the involvement of four manufacturers to become a world championship under FIA rules.
Speaking earlier in the month at the opening Formula ePrix in Beijing Agag said: "There is a condition of a world championship to have a certain number of manufacturers; you cannot be a world championship as a one-make series.
"We hope to attract manufacturers, meet the conditions and hopefully the FIA will grant us world championship status."
Formula E is the FIA’s new global electric race series designed to appeal to a new generation of motorsport fans. It represents a vision for the future of the motor industry, serving as a framework for R&D and accelerating the general interest in these cars. By encouraging manufacturers to develop their own powertrains and batteries, organisers hope the new technology will filter into the everyday EV market, helping to make electric vehicles more desirable.
To listen to the interview visit www.fiaformulae.com.
Twitter: twitter.com/FIAformulaE (@FIAformulaE) #DrivetheFuture
Facebook: facebook/fiaformulae
Youtube: youtube/fiaformulae
Website: www.fiaformulae.com
About FIA Formula E Championship:
Formula E is a new FIA championship featuring Formula cars powered exclusively by electric energy. It represents a vision for the future of the motor industry over the coming decades, serving as a framework for research and development around the electric vehicle, accelerating general interest in these cars and promoting sustainability. Commencing in September 2014, the championship will compete in the heart of 10 of the world's leading cities - including London, Beijing and Buenos Aires - racing around their iconic landmarks. For the inaugural season, 10 teams, each with two drivers, will go head-to-head creating a unique and exciting racing series designed to appeal to a new generation of motorsport fans.
About FIA & Michelin - Today’s partners for tomorrow’s mobility:
As well as being the official Formula E tyre supplier, Michelin is an official partner, at the international level, of the FIA Action for Road Safety campaign. This programme is designed to support the Decade of Action for Road Safety initiated by the UN, the aim of which is to save five million lives over the next ten years. This program is set up to educate and advocate for safer roads, vehicles and behaviours around the globe.