Formula One’s Electric Brother
Many of us will have been actively engaged in the Formula 1 season this year, with the season providing viewers with a thrilling final race seeing Lewis Hamilton fall just short to Max Verstappen of team Red Bull.
But few of these fans will be as knowledgeable of Formula E, the championship that is centred around electric mobility and renewable energy solutions to contribute to reducing air pollution and fighting against climate change around the world.
Formula E intends to address the 4 key issues associated with the global development of electric vehicles and break them down.
Perception - proving electric cars are high-performing and efficient.
Technology - removing range anxiety and showcasing lifespan and longevity.
Infrastructure - increasing the number and speed of charging stations.
Cost - making cars cheaper in comparison to other options on the market.
Formula E machines produce half the noise of regular F1 vehicles (only 80 decibels), allowing music to be played across the race track. Signature tunes have been composed for key race events, adding to the excitement. You’ll hear a soundtrack of start, finish, crash and overtaking noises, creating an atmosphere unique to Formula E.
Electronic F1 is leading the way in fan interaction, with the innovative ‘fan boost’ element giving fans the opportunity to vote for their favourite driver via social media, rewarding the driver a ‘power boost’ during the race (a 2.5 second burst increases car power by 50 per cent ).
The key benefit of Formula E, however, is the environmental impact. While Formula 1 is heavily reliant on fossil fuels to build, maintain and race, Formula E utilises cheap and efficient battery power. F1 races produce high amounts of fossil fuel and noise pollution, with cars releasing 1.5kg of CO2 every kilometre (a staggering nine times more than a regular car). In comparison, Formula E vehicles release no CO2 and emit significantly lower levels of noise pollution.
With the 2030 Government ban restricting the purchase of diesel and petrol vehicles, the automotive sector needs to continue the shift over to an electric vehicle world. The shift will also prove beneficial in reducing our carbon emissions, transportation currently accounts for 1/4 of all CO2 emissions and internal combustion engines are a huge problem in this. This is where electric vehicles and sectors like Formula E can make huge impacts towards lowering emissions.
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is sending a powerful and meaningful message to help alter perceptions and speed up the switch to electric - in a bid to counteract the climate crisis as well as address the devastating effects of air pollution. It may not be as large as Formula 1 but the message behind this Championship can make a real change to our planet for many years to come.