More power, less battery, “attack” charging: Race season tests cutting edge EV technology

Published by

Bryce Gaton

13 January 2023 10:02 AM

Robin Frijns, ABT CUPRA Formula E Team, Mahindra M9Electro

New year, new season, new generation cars.

This weekend sees the start of the ninth season of Formula E. For those not heavily into motorsport – Formula E is effectively an electric equivalent to Formula One. Started in 2014, by 2021 it became the first single-seater racing series outside of Formula One to be given world championship status.

Like road-going EVs, Formula E cars have evolved significantly over the period: and the new season sees what is now the third generation of Formula E cars to hit the track.

Technological improvements include smaller and lighter batteries, faster recharging and more regenerative braking capacity. In addition, for the Gen 3 cars a second powertrain on the front wheels has been included – adding 250kW to the front on top of an increased rear power of 350 kW (up from 250 kW in Gen 2).

Previously, the cars raced on one charge and the races were timed with the number of laps variable. For this season the format will be more like a standard race event – where the race is run over a set number of laps.

Additionally, for this season a new feature called ‘attack charge’ will be trialled in selected races. Attack charge is intended as practice for longer events where refuelling pit stops will be needed – in this case, attack charge will involve a mandatory 30 second stop to recharge the car’s batteries.

This season also sees the introduction of McLaren and Maserati as new teams to the grid.

The first race is in Mexico City this weekend with two practice sessions, one qualifying and the full race happening over two days. Australian Eastern Daylight Time times for each session shown below:

14th January 09:30 – 10:00 Practice 1
15th January 00:30 – 01:00 Practice 2
15th January 02:40 – 03:55 Qualifying
15th January 07:03 – 08:00 Race

Unfortunately, to watch the race itself in real time means you will need a pay-TV subscription (in this case, Stan Sport) although delayed packages will be going free-to-air. (Check local station guides for times). However the practice sessions can be viewed in real-time on TouTube or the formula E race centre site itself. (https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/race-centre)

Mexico City E-Prix track. Image: Formula E

Formula E season 9 facts and figures:

Bryce Gaton

Bryce Gaton is an expert on electric vehicles and contributor for The Driven and Renew Economy. He has been working in the EV sector since 2008 and is currently working as EV electrical safety trainer/supervisor for the University of Melbourne. He also provides support for the EV Transition to business, government and the public through his EV Transition consultancy EVchoice.