We don’t often associate glamorous locations and fast cars with Sustainability and energy efficiency, but Formula E, a racing category exclusively for electric vehicles, is shaking things up. With engineering giant ABB as a title sponsor and teams as prominent as Audi entering the field, the competition is making sustainability one of the hottest topics around.

By Jennifer Barnes, account executive. 

Formula E’s inaugural championship was in 2014 and it has continued to grow in popularity ever since. Racing at speeds of 140 mph on city circuits across the globe such as Sao Paulo, Paris and New York, it’s the electric-powered alternative to Formula 1.

It’s not a small championship either. Currently, Audi, Jaguar and Renault, among others, are all producing powertrains for electric cars. Nissan and Porsche have also announced plans to join the championship in upcoming seasons.

While the cars may not be quite as fast as those in Formula 1, Formula E’s main driver is sustainable innovation. As the teams improve the technology in their electric cars, it will impact the development of consumer electric vehicles, making them a more viable option for the average motorist.

Getting the word out
Formula E is sharing the importance of energy efficiency and sustainability to a younger audience. With races taking part on street circuits in major cities, event organisers are creating a buzz, to attract those who were previously not interested in motorsport. This is different from Formula 1 circuits, which are often located out of town.

The teams and drivers, some ex-Formula 1 drivers themselves, also engage with fans on social media to boost their results. The so-called FanBoost feature allows fans to vote for their favourite driver before the race using social media. The three winning drivers receiving an extra 100 kJ of energy, which gives them the opportunity to make a crucial overtake.

Formula E is not without its critics. Some motorsport purists prefer the noise and speed of Formula 1 or MotoGP. Still, the competition remains a great example of how engineering companies can get involved with sustainability projects and engage the next generation.

If you’re working on an exciting sustainability project that you want people to know about, why not get in touch with Stone Junction on 01785 225416 or e-mail me at [email protected].