Is this F1´s sound of the future? - Electric racing pro/con

[747heavy]

a snipet of the future to come
electric race car & bike on the track in Thruxton

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11354875

is this how F1 will sound in 10 years time?
What are your thoughts about it?
What is the current state of the technology and what are the limiting factors at the moment?
What happend to the proposed electric-GP in Paris?
Did it took place?
If yes who won it, and in which time?

I hope autogyro and other can come forward and make some valuable contributions in discussing this form of car racing.




Hi Mod´s

Maybe we move this thread in the "other race series" section after a couple of days,
so we have a place to discuss the different advances in electric car races, and the state of the technology of these cars.
By doing so, we may can stop any rants against the current stae of the technology in F1.
As with all things in life, everything has it´s place and it´s time.
I hope we now have a "place" to discuss all electric racing relevant topics.

[WhiteBlue]

I could imagine to drive to the office in an SLS E-cell, but for racing I would much rather have something with an ICE. Nice exercise of what is possible with technology but not really good for top end formula sport. Not good for feeder series either due to excessive costs. I'm sure in some years time people will race them as they race everything on wheels.

[Just_a_fan]

There is one benefit of electric racing cars; it gets over the NIMBYs who complain about noise from race tracks...

Here's a thought - the noise of racing car engines (nice big V12s by preferences) could be added to the TV footage of the races. Those on circuit could have the noise provided by earphones. Then we can all enjoy proper racing noises without scaring the neighbours!

[747heavy]

just some info regarding the car shown in the video:

As an electric racing car, the Survolt is designed with compact dimensions and a light-weight frame to provide it with all the characteristics of a conventional racing car. Propelled by two electric motors with a combined power of 300bhp, Survolt is capable of exceptional performance with a top speed of 260kph (162mph) and a 0-100kph (0-62mph) time of under five seconds. The concept’s twin 140kg lithium-ion batteries each boast a 31kw capacity, which allows Survolt to cover 200km (124 miles).

Citroen has also finally given us the inner workings of the Survolt, including the concept’s technical specs. The car measures at 3.85m long, 1.87.m wide, and 1.2m high and weighs in at just 1,150 kg.

only six have been made at $1.8 million a pop

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/citroen/20 ... 85734.html

[autogyro]

I could imagine to drive to the office in an SLS E-cell, but for racing I would much rather have something with an ICE. Nice exercise of what is possible with technology but not really good for top end formula sport. Not good for feeder series either due to excessive costs. I'm sure in some years time people will race them as they race everything on wheels.

This Citroen is a marketing indulgence by Citroen, they have little involvement with conventional motorsport so it is a logical move to gain points in the environmental debates.

WB is right it is way to costly. A team would need over a million to buy one and you need forty or so teams for a series and that would cost a promoter at least 5 million for the infra structure and the FIA regulations bill. Three million for a season of French National racing only makes it a complete no no.
In anycase it only goes 0 to 60 in under five seconds, the car my associate built the drive train for does it in under four and that one is a true road EV although yet another indulgence.

http://zerocarbonista.com/

It is early days for 'proper' electric racing.
The only way is to establish inexpensive electric vehicle official formula' to attract the new sponsors that would be available and teams.
Unfortunately the current internal combustion racing system knows this and will delay it happening where ever it can.

IMO the technology is well mature enough though.

[747heavy]

This Citroen is a marketing indulgence by Citroen, they have little involvement with conventional motorsport so it is a logical move to gain points in the environmental debates.

Apart from the fact that Citröen has won the last 5 WDC´s in the WRC, yes they have very little involvement in conventional motorsports.

Autogyro, you are hard to please.
Here is a OEM trying to show the way, and you keep bashing him for it.
What should they do in your opinion?

So how, could electric motorcycle racing get off the ground then?
I assume, the bike industry is similar in favour for the ICE, as is the car industry at the moment.

What makes the Citröen so expensive? and what would be the alternative to make it cheaper?

[autogyro]

This Citroen is a marketing indulgence by Citroen, they have little involvement with conventional motorsport so it is a logical move to gain points in the environmental debates.

Apart from the fact that Citröen has won the last 5 WDC´s in the WRC, yes they have very little involvement in conventional motorsports.

Autogyro, you are hard to please.
Here is a OEM trying to show the way, and you keep bashing him for it.
What should they do in your opinion?

So how, could electric motorcycle racing get off the ground then?
I assume, the bike industry is similar in favour for the ICE, as is the car industry at the moment.

What makes the Citröen so expensive? and what would be the alternative to make it cheaper?

http://egrandprix.com/

Electric Motor Cycle Racing is already working well, although the Isle of Mann limited it this year to two laps and next to no media coverage.
World, American, European and British nationals are all in place thanks to the very hard work taken to establish sensible regulations.
Where though is the coverage?
That is the problem, they do not like it up em. (the motor heads that is)
Citreon is hardly showing the way with the cars released figures.
Good luck to them.
Oh and sorry for ignoring their superb results in rallying.
It is not me being hard to please, I am simply telling it as it is.

[DaveKillens]

Just like the tide coming in, it's definitely on the way. Up here in Ontario, at Mosport, there was a support race with electric motorcycles.
http://www.examiner.com/green-transport ... ack-canada
http://www.egrandprix.com/

So although manufacturers are attempting to influence the racing to meet their individual agendas, it's very welcome to see the racing community do this on their own. Personally, I an opposed to allowing manufacturers have any say in determining regulations.

Sure, they don't make the sexy sounds we presently enjoy from Formula One engines, but just ask yourself what the owners of Monza feel about this. This great track is under constant attack by environmentalists and such because of one primary problem .. sound. So although electric propulsion is still being developed, it sure would be a saving grace to many race tracks that suffer constant attacks by people who just don't like the noise.

Life is a series of compromises. Once upon a time it was relatively easy to find an unused spot of land and build a race track on it. Now, with population and noise laws so prevalent, it's very difficult to meet the conflciting requirements to have a track close to transportation hubs and populations (you can't make it too difficult for the fans to get to the track), and still allow all that noise to cover the countryside without someone wanting to shut the whole operation down.

Electric racing offers a solution to the noise problem that restrict the operations of a lot of tracks, and threatens the future of many.