Formula E: Are Electric Race Cars on Track to Outpace Formula 1?

With their sleek designs, smoking tires, and throaty engines, Formula 1 cars have dominated the speed charts for the last five decades. However, the rise of electric racing has the potential to shift that paradigm, especially as advancements in technology propel Formula E vehicles forward.

Formula E recently introduced its fourth-generation vehicle, capable of generating up to 600 kilowatts, equating to about 815 horsepower, enabling speeds of over 350 kilometers per hour. 320km/h has already been achieved.

Despite Formula 1’s current edge with top speeds exceeding 370 km/h, Formula E vehicles already demonstrate a 30% faster acceleration than their F1 counterparts, with the existing third generation capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.82 seconds. As power and energy retention technology evolves, Formula E CEO Geoff Dodds anticipates that races on tracks such as Silverstone and Monte Carlo will showcase even faster speeds.

“In the upcoming years, this vehicle may equal or even surpass the speed of an F1 car,” Dodds stated. “It’s more about the principles of physics than our skill.”

A significant advantage lies in the exceptional efficiency of electric motors. In consumer electric vehicles like Tesla, Kona, and Ioniq, up to 90% of the energy used is efficiently directed towards movement. In contrast, conventional combustion engines, such as those in F1, lose roughly 25 percent of energy as heat, while F1’s hybrid motors waste around 50 percent. Conversely, Formula E cars achieve energy efficiency rates of 96%, largely due to regenerative braking systems that recharge the battery.

Electric motors deliver maximum torque instantly, eliminating the lag associated with gear shifts during acceleration. The fourth-generation Formula E cars utilize permanent all-wheel drive with distinct motors for each axle, enhancing acceleration, subject to the grip of the still-developing fourth-generation tires.

A notable challenge for Formula E is its battery technology. At the outset of the series in 2014, competitors had to switch vehicles mid-race to complete the distance. Sylvain Filippi, director of Envision Racing Team, remarks that Formula E could currently construct vehicles boasting 1,000 horsepower, surpassing F1’s capabilities for a single lap, but the battery limitations hinder such performance across numerous race laps.

“We’re not yet able to fit 80 liters of fuel equivalent into a single battery. It simply doesn’t exist,” Filippi elaborated. “The advantage of conventional fuel lies in its high energy density.”

Formula E aims to transition from liquid lithium-ion batteries to solid-state alternatives in its upcoming fifth-generation vehicles, which promise reduced weight and enhanced energy storage. This advancement could potentially enable Formula E cars to outperform Formula 1 in direct competitions, according to Dodds.

Nonetheless, even solid-state batteries struggle to match the energy density of liquid fuels, suggesting that F1 may maintain an advantage in race laps, as noted by Daniel Auger, PhD from Cranfield University in the UK.

“They’re definitely in for an exciting contest,” he remarked. “Yet, it’s likely that battery limitations will still play a significant role.”

However, this debate may remain purely theoretical, as the two racing formats adhere to different regulations. For instance, Formula E does not permit tire changes during pit stops and features “Attack Mode” functionality, inspired by power-ups from the Mario Kart series.

Brands such as Porsche, Jaguar, and Nissan are now focused on refining the powertrain and energy management systems of their fourth-generation vehicles to maximize performance ahead of their race introduction scheduled for December 2026.

Many of the technological developments from Formula E might also trickle down to consumer electric vehicles. For instance, the current Porsche Cayenne Electric incorporates direct oil cooling technology that originated in Formula E.

The performance metrics of Formula E “demonstrate the capability of electric vehicles to equal or surpass the performance of traditional internal combustion engines,” insists Graham Evans from S&P Global. “Moreover, this can be achieved with a stronger commitment to environmental sustainability.”