FIA Formula E Championship

[Glaucus]

So that's 10 swaps due to being empty per year? Seems fair enough given the average commute.

Most of my concerns about the tech need the time to be sorted and I am interested in how they do it.

I recon motorway service stations are where the most battery swaps will occur, just because of the nature of motorway journeys.

Yep and I agree, wouldnt be surprised if 90+% of long journeys include a hefty motorway section.
It's also why they have started to installed recharge points across the motorway network.

 

[Glaucus]

the only reason why people go and see motorsport is the sound, the speed and when you take away the drama...........it dies.....nobody is intrested in electric powered racing cars........there's no drama. just a quite hummm.....

People go for only the sound, really and you seriouse.
How is the drama taken away, how is the speed taken away.

 

[Glaucus]

Recharge points? Seriously?

Why even bother on a motorway?

So early adopters can go further although it adds some time to the journey. Remember fast charge is 20mins for 80% iirc and fully charged in 1hour.
Early adopters are unlikely to do long distances regally. But charging points give you a long range for a 20min top up. Especially good on the renaults, where you rent the battery, so life is a non issue.

 

[Glaucus]

Christ, I can't imagine the batteries can do that too often!

I can't find any figures for range at 70MPH, do you know of any?

Going to work out how long it would take vs my current trips to do it in an electric car

You'll be surprised, with modern battery management, where it measures voltage and temp across each cell, fast charging is not the massive problem it use to be. But it does still shorten the life span.

Off a random forum for a Nissan leaf

70mph > 3.5 miles / kWh > 84 miles of range
I used cruise control on 101 (which is completely flat) tonight when going home.
I exited after about 6 miles with an average mileage of 3.5 miles / kWh.
Assuming the 24kWh battery capacity, that's 84 miles of range (climate control off).

 

[Glaucus]

Going to be a while before I even consider buying one so I'll let them get on with it

the price would put most people off alone, let alone the other issues. But new tech is always ridiculously expensive and as they say you have to start somewhere.

 

[Glaucus]

yea and renewable energy is the reason our energy bills are expected to rise by 300 a year

Better that, than having a £2000 increase in the future and power cuts as countries have shut are oil/gas/coal supplies down, becuase they need it for themselves, or charge us insane amounts for it,

Oh and it's not a year it's £300 by 2020

Energy bills could increase by £300 as a result of the Government’s own green policies and it’s been argued by the senior policy advisor to the Prime Minister that claims by the Department of Energy & Climate Change that price increases of 30% by 2020 would be offset by lower consumption were less than convincing.

And has more to do with carbon tax and other stuff than simply just building renewable energies.

Hardly massive amounts, especially with inflation.

By 2020 we are meant to reduce national grid usage by 20% over coming much of that cost anyway.
As I have said in other threads, this is what we have signed upto and something we are not on target for. Expect more legislation like banning of normal light bulls in the coming years.

The EU recently issued a goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% below the levels of 1990 by the year 2020, to increase energy production from renewable sources to 20% and to reduce overall energy use by 20%

 

[Glaucus]

Don't you think a lot of that is down to how use we are to petrol cars and same for drivers. If a series existed from go karting up. Within 20years you would have drivers that have driven electric cars all their lives.

It would be very odd with no noise, but it's not what makes racing.

 

[Glaucus]

But with just support races, it gives people time to adapt. It's not replacing f1 it's not even in competition with f2. If it happens it's an f3 competitor.

People aren't going to stop going to races because of an electric support race and you may just like it. Especially for us who remember the golden days of development and feel that technology development is missing and that aero dynamics aren't being restricted enough. These cars due to low drag won't create anywhere near as much dirty air, just like other support races.

 

[Glaucus]

Well have to wait and see who's interested. But I wouldn't be surprised if manufactures or 3rd party companies get onboard. There are all jumping on the electric bandwagon and are going to need exposure to separate them from their comoetitors.
But you may have a point. But until rules are placed and there is some solid information, then it's almost impossible to gauge who's interested and what it would all be like.

 

[Glaucus]

It's very much wait and see.

Just found there's another company at it.
http://www.formulec.org/en/projet_presentation.html

the Vision
Motor racing has always been the laboratory for and showcase of the most innovative technologies.

Formulec intends to become the sporting development platform for car makers and energy industrialists who seek to increase the performance of electrical vehicles.

With its partners and under the technical management of its engineering specialist SEGULA Matra Technologies, the automotive branch of SEGULA Technologies, Formulec has imagined and designed this first high-performance, fully electric single-seater, the EF01.

Since its first test run on 15th September 2010, the EF01 has proved to be a top-performer with very high potential.

This single-seater combines speed and efficiency with respect for the environment and sustainable development. In so doing, it foreshadows motor racing of tomorrow.

From 2011, as openers on numerous circuits throughout the world, the EF01 will make a promotional tour, sometimes in duels with combustion single-seaters in dramatic challenges.

A Formulec world series, of 10 events per year exclusively for the EF01, will be launched the following year, in 2012, and continue in 2013. This will enable drivers to measure themselves at the wheel of the EF01 throughout the world.

Soon a world championship will be organized for industrialists and car makers who have developed an electric single-seater.

These single-seaters must conform to the rules which will be based on all the technical and sporting lessons learned from the Formulec monotype world series.



The EF01 represents the combination of the best electric single-seater technologies.

It brings together performance and efficiency with respect for the environment and sustainable development.

It equals the performance of its prestigious cousin, the Formula 3, and its combustion engine.

20-25mins run time depending on track
0-60 in 3 seconds
150mph top speed

 

[Glaucus]

And

http://www.epowergp.com/index.htm

EpowerGP is a revolutionary new international open Electric Formula racing series. The Electric Formula is developed in cooperation with car manufacturers and race car*constructors from North America, Asia and Europe.
*
The single seater prototype Formula cars will be purely powered by electricity. The electric energy is stored in batteries and/or capacitors supported by kinetic energy recovery systems. Competitors design and construct their competing cars to the Formula specified in the EpowerGP technical regulations.
*
The series offers car manufacturers, suppliers, multinational brands and governments an exciting platform for exposure and positive association with oil independent, low emission, electric cars. The goal is to stimulate essential innovative developments in efficient automotive technologies.
*
EpowerGP will host at least 20 races of 50 km at 10 events worldwide starting in 2012. The provisional calendar hosts races in the USA, Japan, Europe and China. The EpowerGP series will be broadcast live and worldwide.
*
Competing teams will mainly consist of car manufacturers, race car constructors and independent race teams running a maximum of 2 cars per team. More than 40 potential teams have expressed their serious interest in the series after analyzing its technical and sporting regulations.

The series offers car manufacturers, suppliers, multinational brands and governments an exciting platform for exposure and positive association with oil independent, clean, electric cars. The goal is to stimulate essential innovative developments in efficient automotive technologies.
*
EpowerGP is first and foremost an International Championship where car and battery manufacturers can compare and develop their technology and show their latest products. A platform for innovation and development of essential aspects such as the battery (energy storage), drive train, motors, capacitors, KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems) and electrical components.
*
EpowerGP events will offer an opportunity for the public to get acquainted with electric cars and the products of the manufacturers involved, with information, demonstrations and test drives.

RACES
*
EpowerGP will host at least 20 races of 50 km at 10 events worldwide starting in 2012. The provisional calendar hosts races in the USA, Japan, Europe and China. The EpowerGP series will be broadcast live and worldwide.
*
EpowerGP events can be held as stand alone events as well as in conjunction with other race series. FIA approved Formula 3 to Formula 1 grade circuits are suitable.
*
Street Circuits
*
EpowerGP has a specific preference for inner city street circuits. Electric cars are particularly well suited for cities because of their smog, emission, fine dust and noise advantages. Electric race cars have the added bonus of a very high torque useful for acceleration out of the slow corners in city circuits.
*
City Marketing
*
More and more cities are focusing on electric vehicles as a solution to smog, fine dust, climate, energy and noise issues. EpowerGP offers a great platform for your city promotion and marketing while communicating your environmental and climate policies alike.
*
Qualification and Race Format
*
EpowerGP qualification will consist of 4 x 10 minute sessions on the Saturday with each car running a single flying lap per session. The best time of the first two sessions counts for Race 1, the best of the latter two counts for Race 2.
*
On Sunday, two races of 50 km each will be held, Race 1 and Race 2.

Seems I will have a lot to keep my eye on, even if no one else is interested. I hope some of these go ahead.

 

[Glaucus]

There was a step forward recently one I missed. FIA Call of interest for a 2013 series.

http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/fiasport/2011/Pages/formula-e.aspx

30/09/2011*

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
AND SELECTION PROCESS
*
Update
*
On 29 July 2011, the FIA published a Press Release on its website pertaining to a “Call for Expressions of Interest” for the creation of a new high profile championship: the FIA Formula E Championship (“Championship”).
*
The FIA is now in a position to announce that its experts are currently finalising the Technical Terms and Conditions that will form the basis of a new Call for Expressions of Interest.
*
This Call for Expressions of Interest will be issued to identify and shortlist (at the latest in April 2012) those manufacturers that are in a position to commit to take part in the 2013 FIA Formula E Championship, either directly or/and via teams. Each manufacturer would be requested to produce a minimum number of cars so as to guarantee a minimum field, and a “balance of performance” system would be put in place in order to guarantee the sporting interest of the Championship.

 

[Glaucus]

I think it's exactly where the technology should be used. Everyone is gearing up for electric cars. I hope it will also be like the golden age of f1, far less restrictions and anyone can win. All down to technology. In the next 5 years we will see a huge leapfoward in batteries as well.

 

[Glaucus]

Electric F1 won't happen in my life time thank god. I mean come on who want's to hear the sound of 14 electric milk carts?

It's not going to replace f1, they want it as a support race
I think you like a lot of people are going to be shocked at how fast electric catches on and devlopes.
There will become a point where electric can trounce petrol. It's just amateur of time and a support race is perfect to develop and test the technology.

 

[Glaucus]

. A "golden age" of exciting new technology development - bring it on!

exactly and becuase they underperformance ATM compared to f1 safety. It means the rules can be derestricted compared to f1. And it'll be like the late 80s early 90s where technology ruled and the unreliability will be back.

 

[Glaucus]

I agree, we just need to do a lot more R&D into being able to use it as a fuel before it can really be said to be THE next fuel, but at least its able to be a fill up and go, unlike the current electric charge and wait four year idea.

Hydrogen has lost, fast recharge and high capacity batteries are on their way.
Europe, Japan, USA have already deicde electric has won and that is what the grants and infrastructure is being beguile around.

I haven't thought that way for ever, I made a thread in 2007 about future energies/renewables and I didn't think electric stood a chance. How wrong I was.

 

[Glaucus]

I think Hydrogen and Electricity both suffer from the same problems in the real world... they are both complete technological changes that require entire restructuring of the infrastructure. Basically, they are a massive leap.
.

This is true, but countries have spoken, chosen and are implementing one, not the other.

 

[Glaucus]

Glaucus, if I read that right, will the FIA be announcing a list of interested manufacturers in April next year?
.

Hopfully, they are making a list in April, with interested parties. I expect they will release it publicly but it doesn't say they will.
Did they publicly release the new f1 interested teams?

From that they'll have to go through a similar process of working out who actuall has the resources to get a car on the grid.

Remember EU(as part of their electric car marketing, research and implementation) is pushing the FIA to do this, so I wonder if there's any "grants"

Hybrids seem the sensiable approach ATM, but they aren't. They are a stop gap that will die before they take off. Sure companies can shift small amounts. But by the time they have any thing resembling an indent in market share, electric will be overtaking it and on its way to domination.

 

[Glaucus]

This was what I was wondering. I would be very interested in seeing who has put their name down. But if its like the F1 teams (which werent anounced untill well after the selection was done) then we will likely not get to see

Hopfully they'll go public themselves.
One has already said they are interested. Cant remeber name Green gt looking car, which holds the record 160mph iirc.

Fond tech I assume would be interested as well, be stupid if they weren't.

 

[Glaucus]

Lola-Drayson B12/69EV

http://www.lolacars.com/newsstory.asp?NewsId=360
http://www.emotorsportnews.com/team...drayson-electric-lmp-car-officially-revealed/
http://www.thechargingpoint.com/news/Pure-electric-racer-is-as-fast-as-a-Formula-1-car.html

It is claimed to run at over 200mph, and judging from the stats it shouldn’t have any problem. Four YASA 750 motors give it a hefty 640kW (850bhp) and it weighs in at a relatively light 1085kg including driver, allowing it to make 60mph in 3s and 100mph in 5.1s. The 3 cell packs have been supplied by Mavizen and are made up of A123 Systems cylindrical ANR26650MIB nano-phosphate cells, giving a total energy of around 60kWh running at 700V max. They are packaged in carbon fibre as a structural component of the car, the first time this has ever been achieved, although I’m not sure what you would do if you ever needed to get at them again?

Not sure how true this one is, seeing as FIA haven't agreed anything yet.
http://www.torquenews.com/1079/confirmation-lola-drayson-racer-will-participate-formula-e

Confirmation the Lola Drayson Racer Will Participate at the Formula E

Also American le mans series wants an electric series as well. To devlop and get public use to the electric transport change over.
First demo car
http://www.insideline.com/audi/alms-imsa-racings-future-is-electric.html