Formula E

[raymondu999]

Hey folks; not sure if this is the right place to discuss it; but the FIA is announcing the birth of "Formula E," for "Formula 'Electric'" I wonder if this means the end to the dream of an electric Formula 1 grid. However these cars are meant to be comparable (in lap time) to F3 rather than F1... so... yeah. It's meant to debut 2013

[beelsebob]

I hope that they don't hold it deliberately at F3 pace... I'd love to see a super-high-end electric series that had tough requirements (like making a full 250ish km race distance), and just let them come up with whatever solution they can. The only constraint being that the wheels have to be electrically powered.

[Byronrhys]

Hopefully they can focus less on this green technology in F1 now, could potentially take away from some F1 manufacturers in the short terms, maybe some could move up to F1 in the longer term though. Sounds like it'll attract more Japanese makes though, Could see the likes of Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi/PSA, Ford, Nissan even a works Renault or BMW on the grid.

how long would it take these batteries to get at least half charge? is there any form of rapid charging?

[Chaparral]

Geez sounds like Scalextric mmm interesting and probably better to watch

[xpensive]

...
how long would it take these batteries to get at least half charge? is there any form of rapid charging?

Charging is an often the forgotten problem with electric vehicles, even if you can have a battery that can supply 70 kW (95 Hp) for one hour, 70 kWh, it would still take an 35 kW connection to re-charge in 120 minutes.

Think about it, some 100 Amps at 380 V for two hours?

70 kWh is btw the equal of 7.5 liters of gasolene energy-wise.