How Formula E acts as a catalyst for the adoption of electric vehicles
The finale of the third season of Formula E happens next week in Montreal, in our backyard. On July 29 and 30, 2017, the races will take place on an urban circuit of 2.5 km long and will bring together the main Formula E teams and the best drivers.
For most spectators, formula E is all about the entertainment. For us, it’s a laboratory.
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF MOBILITY
In racing, every component of the car need to be pushed towards their limits to be the most efficient possible. Every pound, millimetre and second that can be optimized can make the difference between winning and losing a race. It’s all about innovation and continuous improvement to discover breakthrough technologies that will allow these components to get lighter, smaller and more efficient.
It’s a world where everything happens fast: from development to fine-tuning right on the track, new technologies get tested and optimized in an impressively short time frame. Formula E literally acts as a catalyzer for innovation in the transportation industry. It gathers all the major players of the sector to shape the future of mobility. The technologies developed as part of the championship are not only for the sake of winning a race; they will eventually be implemented in electric cars that we can buy.
TM4 have been contributing to the development of key components used by racing cars since the second season of Formula E. It has forced us to go beyond what we thought was possible, both in terms of technical developments and process management.
INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS
Formula E is not all about accelerating R&D. It also aims at increasing public interest in electric cars by promoting clean energy. Over 15 million of people around the world tune in to watch FIA Formula E races.[1]
In 2015, Ernst & Young (EY) conducted a study on the potential of Formula E to drive social awareness, infrastructure investment for sustainable mobility and technological innovation.
«EY’s methodology assesses the value creation potential of the championship over a 25 year period, and includes three different scenarios: low, moderate, and accelerated. Based on Green Accelerated Factors analysis, EY was able to determine future externalities, and global impact in terms of green growth, environmental savings, and social prosperity. (Green growth factors include proceeds from additional electric vehicles sold, savings from fuel energy, extra sales in the industry, and benefits from new job creation.)»[2]
The below results speak for themselves:
MONTREAL EPRIX
Each Formula E event also features an e-village, an area with displays and activities where people can engage on sustainability topics. TM4 will display its electric drive systems in the Hydro-Quebec tent located in the Allianz e-village all weekend. Visit-us to learn more about how we contribute to the development of e-mobility.
[1] http://news.hydroquebec.com/en/press-releases/1199/hydro-quebec-to-power-first-formula-e-races-in-montreal/
[2] http://admin.fiaformulae.com/media/301817/estory_undertaking-the-challenges-of-sustainable-mobility.pdf