With planning underway for the Gen 3 Formula E cars, it has been announced that the charging infrastructure will be provided by long-time series partner ABB.
Together with engineers from motorsport governing body the FIA and Formula E, ABB said its electrification teams are currently working on the specifications and requirements to develop a solution for charging the Gen3 cars through portable charging units that can charge two cars simultaneously. It has also been suggested that Gen 3 cars will feature the ability to undertake a 30-second fast charge during a pitstop, which will place considerable demands on the charging infrastructure.
“The ABB FIA Formula E Championship is more than a race – it is our testbed for innovative electromobility technologies, driving development to the production line of electric vehicles and ultimately contributing to a cleaner environment for all,” said Tarak Mehta, president of the company’s electrification arm.
Meanwhile, for Formula E offshoot series Extreme E, generators are out and fuel cells in, as the series announced a collaboration with specialist AFC Energy to provide FC-based charging stations. With the series operating in remote locations across the globe and an even greater focus on sustainability than Formula E, the move to FC power generation is a logical one.
“This collaboration with AFC Energy is a game changer not just for Extreme E, but also to the wider sports and events industry which could also benefit greatly from using this innovative, zero-emission charging technology,” said Alejandro Agag, founder and CEO of Extreme E. “In everything we do around this championship we are focussed on being sustainable and supporting the environment, while also being innovative.”
Alongside the ability to generate zero-emission electricity, AFC said its solution for Extreme E will also showcase the remote manufacture of ‘Green Hydrogen’ through micro-alkaline water electrolysis powered by the sun, which removes the need to store and transport vast amounts of hydrogen across the different racing locations.
