Andretti Technologies is putting the pedal to the metal in Formula E, but not a lot of people follow the all-electric race car circuit. In order to promote the speedy, environmentally friendly cause, Andretti and their technology partner TE Connectivity hosted a live discussion on Thursday about what it takes to keep Formula E cars going.
Formula E cars come from eight recognized manufacturers, and are part of an effort to take race technology into the consumer space. The design of the cars’ chassis is strictly regulated, because the real innovation comes in the batteries. Those batteries need to work for a long time under high speed and high temperatures – and even still, Formula E racers can switch cars once during the race.
Roger Griffiths, co-team principal for the Andretti Technologies Formula E team, said Formula E was created by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) – the same governing body behind Formula 1 – in order to show that electric cars can be “sexy” and stand up to the challenges of the racetrack. A forward-looking road map emphasizes improvements in the technology that will push the cars further on each charge.
“The difference in Formula E is we’re developing the powertrain,” said Rob Edwards, director of Engineering and operations. The Andretti name helps give the Formula E races more visibility and opportunities, he said.
Technological improvements made for the racing world, where decisions have to be made in hours or days instead of months, could eventually end up in the consumer space as well.
While some of that comes down to mechanical design, a lot of it also depends on software development and the type of connectors and sensors that TE provides.
Race engineer Steve Collyer talked about how consumer cars and motorsport complement one another, and how racers are trying to address the range – and therefore the efficiency – of electric vehicles. “Efficiency gives you electric range in a road car, which is obviously something we’re hoping to improve through time and development,” he said.
“The faster we go, the further we go, the more efficient we will be,” Collyer said.
Formula E is currently in its second season, which is running from October 2015 until July 2016.