The FIA has released three tenders for Formula E’s third-generation car, revealing further details on what the series will look like in the future.
The Gen3 car, which will replace the current Gen2 challenger for the 2022/23 season – which will be FE’s ninth season – will be lighter, quicker and capable of fast-charging to run longer races at higher speeds.
The current car did away with the need for drivers to swap to a second car mid-race, but races remain time limited thanks to current battery technology.
The three tenders, for the 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, seeks to find suppliers for the battery, chassis and front powertrain and tyres.
According to the FIA, the aim is to have “a Formula E car which matches the ambitions of the championship in the future and further increases the entertainment value for fans.
“The Gen3 cars will also showcase the continued improvements made in the development of electric vehicles.”
Dimensions
The tender calls for a slightly smaller car at 1,700mm width by 5,000mm length – this is 70mm and 160mm smaller respectively – plus a reduction in weight from 900kg (inc driver) to just 780kg.
The current Gen2 car is capable of a maximum power output of 250kW in attack mode and 200kW in race mode. The new tender calls for two scenarios, one in which the car is capable of a maximum 300kW and a second where that’s upped to 350kW.
Fast-Charging
Pit-stops are expected to return, but without the requirement of swapping cars. Instead fast-charging will allow cars to be topped up with power in just 30-seconds, and capable of being fully charged in just 45 minutes.
It’s not thought that pit stops will be mandatory, though the tender states they can be charged a maximum of once per race.
Formula E will provide the fast charging equipment to ensure it remains standardised across the series and it will charge at between 450kW to 600kW.
Tyres
Tyres will remain largely unchanged, with FE sticking with its all-weather tyres, though they must now be capable of withstanding the additional power output. The tender is open to a larger rim size up to 20 inches, with FE currently using 18 inches.
Cost
The tender states that the yearly cost of a complete car will be €340,000, with spare part costs not exceeding 135 per cent of that amount.
The battery tender requires applicants to “elevate the current car’s battery technology through improved energy density, life cycle, power capability and durability”.
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