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LONG
BEACH, Calif. -- Formula E is the brainchild of the FIA.
They wanted to use motorsport to help promote the electric car
industry and to use the series as a framework for research and
development. It’s hoped Formula E will increase the use
of electric cars, especially in urban areas, and to improve our
environment and way of life. Formula E represents a vision for
the future of the motor industry over the coming decades, serving
as a framework for research and development around the electric
vehicle, accelerating general interest in these cars and promoting
sustainability.
All races will be held in city-centres in some of the world's
leading cities. Formula E believes that cities are the natural
environment for electric cars and that racing in urban environments
will best promote the use, and popularity, of these vehicles.
Long Beach,
Southern California’s Urban Waterfront Playground, is just
20 miles from downtown Los Angeles, located along more than 11
miles of sandy beachfront, inland waterways and bays. One of the
West Coast’s largest cities with a downtown waterfront,
Long Beach combines the sophistication and style of a big urban
city with the relaxed atmosphere of a beach resort.
Hosting
any major international sporting event in a city centre has its
challenges but it is very important to the goal of Formula E that
electric cars are promoted and seen in their preferred environment;
an urban area. The majority of the world’s population live
in cities which is also where most of the world’s cars are
driven, usually covering very short distances. This environment
is ideally suited to the electric vehicle as it can easily cover
the ranges required whilst producing zero emissions. By hosting
the races in cities, Formula E hopes to showcase this. What’s
more, modern cities offer fantastic public transport systems which,
unlike conventional out-of-town race tracks, means that spectators
can leave their car at home helping to reduce the environmental
impact of the race.
While the initial set-up cost is expensive, costs will come down
year-on-year. In addition, Formula E plans to ‘leave a legacy’
in each of the cities it visits by installing charging points
and other electric vehicle infrastructure which can be enjoyed
by all again and again.
In most cases, Formula E will be generating its own power using
renewable, emission-free methods such as the Aquafuel generators.
Where this cannot be done due to logistics, Formula E will be
using the city's national grid. However, in this case the power
itself will come from renewable energy sources.
What does the car sound like and how loud is it?
The sound of the Formula E car will be one of the championship's
most unique and exciting features and will be a modern, futuristic
sound combined with the fusion of the tyres on the track, the
car's aero package and the electric drivetrain itself. At high
speed this will be around 80 decibels. A traditional road car
produces around 70 decibels when travelling at 70mph.
The duration of the batteries will depend heavily on how hard
the car is pushed but during the race this will be between 25-30
minutes. Drivers will make a mandatory pitstop during the race
in order to change cars.
In a perfect world the series would use just one car. However,
today’s current battery technology is not sufficiently advanced
to allow a one-hour race at full speed without recharging. By
working with the world leading engineers from Formula One, IndyCar,
NASCAR, Le Mans and the world’s leading automotive road
car developers, Formula E aims to dramatically accelerate the
development of battery technology and increase drivetrain efficiency.
There is no better way than motor racing to harness this incredible
talent and the benefits and knowhow will quickly filter down to
everyday electric road cars.
For reasons of safety set out by the FIA, it is not permitted
for teams to swap the batteries of their cars during a race. In
order to maintain the best possible safety standards, the batteries
are sealed meaning removing them quickly is not feasible. For
reasons of safety set out by the FIA, it is not permitted for
teams to swap the batteries of their cars during a race. In order
to maintain the best possible safety standards, the batteries
are sealed meaning removing them quickly is not feasible.
Safety remains a top priority of every aspect of the FIA Formula
E Championship, not least drivers changing from one car to another.
Every change will take place in their pitbox and be overseen by
a steward in order to ensure that it is done correctly and that
all safety equipment is applied. Each driver will also be looked
after by a member of their team who will assist in securing harnesses.
What’s more, there will be a mandatory minimum driver time
of 30 seconds for each changeover (from when the driver first
touches the second car until he can leave the pits) to ensure
no corners are cut.
STARTS |
ENDS |
ACTIVITY |
7:00
a.m. |
6:00
p.m. |
Gates
open/close |
8:15
a.m. |
8:40
a.m. |
Non-Qualifying
Practice 1 |
9:25
a.m. |
9:50
a.m. |
Non-Qualifying
Practice 2 |
10:00
a.m. |
10:20
a.m. |
FE
School Series - Practice/Qualifying |
10:35
a.m. |
11:00
a.m. |
Non-Qualifying
Practice 3 |
12:00
p.m. |
12:10
p.m. |
Qualifying
Session Group 1 |
12:15
p.m. |
12:25
p.m. |
Qualifying
Session Group 2 |
12:30
p.m. |
12:40
p.m. |
Qualifying
Session Group 3 |
12:45
p.m. |
12:55
p.m. |
Qualifying
Session Group 4 |
2:15
p.m. |
2:35
p.m. |
FE
School Series - Race |
3:23
p.m. |
3:33
p.m. |
Pitlane
open/close |
3:50
p.m. |
|
FanBoost
implentation |
4:00
p.m. |
5:00
p.m. |
FIA
Formula E Race |
For
more information about FIA Formula E racing series, visit www.fiaformulae.com.
Source:
FIA Formula E