Formula E Reveals Gen3 Racecar

Formula E has revealed its third-generation, all-electric race car, which was designed and optimized specifically for street racing and will debut in Season 9 of the FIA Formula E World Championship.

In addition to sustainability and performance enhancements, the Gen3 was designed with software engineering in mind, allowing for performance upgrades to the Gen3 to be delivered as software updates directly to the advanced operating system built into the car, the series said.

Design, engineering and production innovations for the Gen3 race car include:

Performance:

  • Fastest Formula E car ever with a top speed over 200 mph.
  • More than 40% of the energy used within a race produced by regenerative braking.
  • Around 95% power efficiency from an electric motor delivering up to 350kW of power (470BHP).
  • Front and rear powertrains. A new front powertrain adds 250kW to the 350kW at the rear, more than doubling the regenerative capability of the current Gen2 to a total of 600kW.
  • Ultra-high speed charging capability of 600kW for additional energy during a race.
  • Will not feature rear hydraulic brakes with the addition of the front powertrain and its regenerative capability.

Sustainability:

  • Batteries made of sustainably-sourced minerals that will be reused and recycled at end of life.
  • Linen and recycled carbon fiber from retired Gen2 cars will be used in bodywork construction, reducing the carbon footprint of the production of the Gen3 bodywork more than 10%.
  • Natural rubber and recycled fibers will make up 26% of new Gen3 tires and all tires will be fully recycled after racing.
  • All unavoidable emissions will be offset as part of Formula E’s net zero carbon commitment.
  • All Gen3 suppliers will operate in line with top international standards to reduce environmental impacts of manufacturing (ISO 14001) and be FIA Environmental Accreditation 3-Star rated.

“Both technologically and environmentally, Gen3 sets new standards in the sport. The FIA and Formula E development teams have done a superb job, and I thank them for their hard work on this project,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA president. “I am delighted to see so many leading manufacturers already signed up to the championship’s next era and await Gen3’s competitive debut in Season 9 with great anticipation.”

“Monaco is the spiritual home of motorsport and there is nowhere more fitting to unveil our Gen3 race car,” Jamie Reigle, Formula E CEO. “The Gen3 disrupts and challenges the conventions of motorsport, setting the benchmark for performance, efficiency and sustainability without compromise.

“Together with the FIA, we are proud to reveal the Gen3 to Formula E fans and demonstrate to the wider sports industry how elite sport, high performance and sustainability can successfully co-exist in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. We cannot wait to see how our teams and drivers push the car to its limit in 2023.”

By A.J. Hecht

A.J. Hecht is the managing editor of THE SHOP and host of the In Gear with THE SHOP podcast. Have an idea, a tip, or a question you’d like to see answered? Contact A.J. at ahecht@cahabamedia.com.