Formula E’s Gen3: The Faster, Lighter, and More Efficient CAR
Formula E’s Gen3: Since 2014, Formula E has been holding electric single-seater races in some of the most famous places in the world. The series has now debuted its third-generation race vehicle. The Gen3 car introduces many technological advancements that will test the limits of electric-car performance and, ideally, provide even closer, more suspenseful racing. Some of these innovative technologies might eventually find their way into electric road vehicles.
The Gen3 era of Formula E, which will begin with the 2022–23 season, debuted its new car at Monaco. What’s new and what to expect are listed below.
About Formula E’s Gen3
The Gen3 Formula E race car is the third iteration, following the Gen1 car’s first release (2014–2017) and Gen2’s successor (2018-2022). Simply said, the improvements in the technology employed in the powertrains and batteries have allowed each generation of Formula E vehicles to go faster. Gen2 cars increased the maximum power output from the 200kW that Gen1 vehicles could produce to 250kW. Between the regular 250kW front-mounted motor and the new drive motor at the back axle, Gen3 will generate a combined 600kW of power.
Alongside the power and energy improvements, technology advancements are achieved in many other areas of the car, with the Gen3 period bringing about significant enhancements over incremental improvements discovered via car development.
Also claimed to be more ecologically friendly than previous models is the Gen3 vehicle. According to Formula E, the materials used in the batteries are sourced sustainably, and the cells will be recycled and repurposed after their useful lives. The body of the car is constructed from recycled carbon fiber from the Gen2 cars and linen, which, according to Formula E, lowers the carbon footprint of making the body panels by more than 10%. The following use in the race, all tires will be recycled. The tires of the Gen3 cars will also contain 26% natural rubber and recycled fibers.
Naturally, Gen3 takes sustainability into consideration as a crucial component of the broader Formula E objective. According to the series, this will be the first Formula One vehicle to apply Life Cycle Thinking, which refers to how used components are handled after they are taken out of service. For recycling tires, parts, and battery cells in this situation, there is already “the second life” in place.
New Changing Features of Gen3
In summary, the performance and sustainability of Gen3 cars are altering significantly.
Speed: A combined 600kW power output of 350kW for the rear axle motor and 250kW for the standard front motor will be able to produce speeds of more than 200 mph.
Performance: Regenerative braking will produce more than 40% of the energy, up from the 25% of Gen2 cars that did so. When the batteries reach the end of their useful life, they will likewise be recycled.
Mass: Gen3 vehicles weigh 60 kg less than their predecessors, mainly as a result of the elimination of the back brakes and a smaller battery. In order to be more suitable for racing on street circuits, the cars will also be smaller.
Sustainable components: As part of Formula E’s carbon neutral objective and sustainability push, Gen3 will use recyclable batteries, recycled carbon fiber from Gen2 vehicles, natural rubber, and recycled fibers in Hankook’s new tires (as the business takes over from Michelin).
Formula E’s Gen3 Release Date
The Gen3 vehicles will compete in Formula E for the first time starting with the 2022–2023 season, which is expected to debut in Saudi Arabia in January. Currently, Gen3 vehicle kits are scheduled to be delivered to Formula E manufacturers starting in June 2022. This will allow time for trial runs and testing checks with the new specification car.
