SABIC’s Genbeta Car, developed in partnership with Formula E, breaks the Guinness World Record for indoor speed, showcasing the use of innovative materials and technologies for future EV race and road cars.

SABIC’s Collaboration with Formula E Sets New Guinness World Record and Accelerates Innovation in Electric Vehicles

SABIC’s recent collaboration with Formula E and their achievement of setting a new Guinness World Record for the fastest speed achieved by a vehicle indoors is a significant milestone in the ongoing development of electric vehicles (EVs). This remarkable feat, achieved by the Genbeta car, showcases the immense potential of advanced materials and innovative technologies in the EV industry.

Through its expertise in material science and application development, SABIC played a crucial role in supporting the design and development of various components of the GENBETA car. The integration of highly engineered thermoplastics, with their exceptional moldability and processing capabilities, not only contributed to the car’s lightweight construction but also enhanced its overall performance and efficiency.

One notable application of SABIC’s materials is the front wing endplates, which play a critical role in directing airflow and reducing drag. Manufactured using additive manufacturing or 3D printing, these elements demonstrate the limitless design possibilities offered by advanced materials. Additionally, the wheel fins, made from sustainable mechanically-recycled thermoplastics, optimize airflow and reduce aerodynamic drag, ultimately improving acceleration and speed performance.

SABIC’s commitment to sustainability is evident in their use of bio-renewable, low-carbon materials in the manufacturing of the transparent wind deflector. This component supports airflow optimization and contributes to decreased drag, further enhancing the car’s speed capabilities.

The collaboration between SABIC and Formula E signifies a deep-rooted commitment to advancing electric vehicle technologies and promoting sustainable practices within the industry. By leveraging their dedicated solution platforms for electrification and the circular economy, SABIC continues to push the boundaries of innovation in EVs.

Moreover, SABIC’s participation in Formula E’s sustainable innovations summit demonstrates their dedication to fostering meaningful discussions and exchanging ideas on the future of EVs. By emphasizing the importance of development projects like GENBETA, SABIC highlights the potential benefits they bring to the industry and the world at large.

Overall, SABIC’s collaboration with Formula E and their contribution to the GENBETA car’s record-breaking achievement exemplify the transformative power of advanced materials in the electric vehicle sector. This successful partnership not only pushes the boundaries of speed and performance but also accelerates the world’s shift towards electrification and carbon neutrality. As we witness such remarkable milestones, we can be optimistic about the future of the EV industry and the positive impact it will have on our environment.

GENBETA Car developed by Formula E and Innovation Partner SABIC shatters GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title

SABIC, a global leader in diversified chemicals, formally highlighted the use of its materials in applications on the GENBETA car, the new holder of the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the fastest speed achieved by a vehicle indoors revealed and is now on display at the 2023 Hankook London E-Prix from today.

The GENBETA car was pushed to the limit by ABB FIA Formula E World championship drivers Jake Hughes (NEOM McLaren Formula E Team) and Lucas di Grassi (Mahindra Racing) in the Duals format used to qualify for Formula E races.

Jake Hughes hit a top speed of 218.71KPH, setting the new world record. The vehicle is part of the GENBETA live development and innovation project, which aims at exploring new materials and technologies for future EV race and road cars.

Leveraging application development expertise and material science, SABIC supported the design and development of innovative parts of the GENBETA car, which is based on the GEN3 car, helping and enabling the creation of the fastest, lightest, and most powerful and efficient electric car, reinforcing the company’s ambition to accelerating the world’s shift to electrification and carbon neutrality.

SABIC’s role in the GENBETA program and integration in the car forms part of the company’s collaborative innovation partnership with the world’s first all-electric FIA World Championship.

The materials from SABIC integrated into applications of the GENBETA car are highly engineered thermoplastics that enable design freedom through their inherent processing moldability compared to most other materials. Such thermoplastics can help enhance the car’s aerodynamics, contributing to its acceleration and speed performance.

The relevant applications include:

• Front wing endplates – These elements, formed using an additive manufacturing or 3D printing process known as fused deposition modeling, are mounted on the outboard extremities of the vehicle’s front wing. They are integral to redirection of airflow around the front wheels to help reduce drag while contributing to the car’s downforce and stability.
• Wheel fins – These components are manufactured through injection molding with SABIC’s sustainable mechanically-recycled thermoplastics from the portfolio of TRUCIRCLE circular materials. These parts are mounted onto the wheel rims in a radial, spoke-like pattern, and are intended to help optimize airflow and reduce aerodynamic drag for higher acceleration and speed performance. As an additional benefit, the fins can increase the car’s overall efficiency and aid in cooling the brakes to improve stopping power.
• Wind deflector – This transparent part is a coated thermoplastic sheet product, manufactured through an extrusion process using a bio-renewable, low-carbon material from the TRUCIRCLE portfolio. The component is attached to the front of the cockpit, ahead of the driver, and supports optimization of airflow for decreased drag – again, contributing to improved speed performance.

As SABIC collaborates with Formula E and its partners, it is drawing on an still-expanding portfolio of thermoplastics developed under dedicated solution platforms for electrification (BLUEHERO), and the circular economy (TRUCIRCLE).

First announced as the electric racing series Principal and Innovation Partner in 2022, SABIC intends to continue to work closely with Formula E to develop cutting-edge solutions that will help drive further innovation in electric vehicles technologies and progress in sustainable practices across the sport’s wider ecosystem and operations.

As part of its presence at the London E-Prix, SABIC participated in Formula E’s sustainable innovations summit – Change. Accelerated. Live. – where they discussed in ‘The Power of Prototypes’ panel discussion the advantages that development projects like the GENBETA bring to the EV industry and the world.