Formula E’s inaugural Innovation Summit took place just prior to the London round of the championship at the end of July. Entitled ‘Change. Accelerated. Live’, the event sought to bring together voices from across motorsport, sustainability, politics, education and business to discuss how motorsport can drive innovation and encourage sustainable development.
FIA deputy president for sport Robert Reid was joined by a panel which included David Richards, chairman of Motorsport UK, Deborah Mayer, president of the FIA Women In Motorsport Commission, and Saul Billingsley, executive director, FIA Foundation.
“Motorsport has always been a laboratory for research and innovation and through FIA world championships like Formula E, we can accelerate the technology transfer to mobility in the areas of electrification. We can illustrate that electric mobility can be safe and entertaining and have a positive impact on the environment,” said Reid.
“Under the broader FIA portfolio, we are mirroring that process with the 2022 hybrid power unit in Formula 1, Rally1 plug-in hybrid technology in WRC, the FIA World Rallycross Championship which is fully-electric in 2022 and with LM Hypercars in the World Endurance Championship. In other areas of technology and sustainability, we are creating change through the introduction of 100% sustainable biofuel in the FIA European Truck Racing Championship in 2021.
“As an organization, we are already carbon neutral and we are working toward net zero carbon in 2030. We are taking significant steps along that journey. By 2025 all FIA world championships will need to reach the highest level of the FIA Environmental Accreditation, and by 2026, all FIA championships will be required to be powered by 100% sustainable energies – from advanced, sustainable drop-in fuels to battery and hydrogen technologies. All of these will play a critical role in the future of the entire transportation industry.”
