Formula E will be given a welcome boost for the forthcoming season, with the cars given an extra 20khw of power during the race.
During the first season, each car was limited to running with a maximum of 150kwh, excluding the extra ‘fanboost’ given to three drivers on the grid in an online poll. The second season will see this limit increased to 170kwh after careful consideration by the battery manufacturer, Williams Advanced Engineering.
Confirming the change of power on the Formula E website, championship CEO Alejandro Agag said,
“The development of future battery technologies is fundamental to the ethos of the championship.
“Formula E is all about showcasing the progression of electric vehicle technology and thanks to the battery development from Williams Advanced Engineering we will see faster, more efficient and exciting racing this coming season.”
Cars will continue to have 200kwh available to them during qualifying, which includes time for two fast laps, and through the free practice sessions.
At points during the first season the series was criticised for appearing slow, something which the organisers have been keen to address. The increase in power from 150 to 170kwh is just the start of the process with the aim of the cars being more powerful and lasting a race distance in one car by 2018/19.
The first race with the new power setting will be the revised Beijing ePrix, now due to take place on Saturday 24th October on the perimeter of the Olympic Park.
