When the thought of bringing up the electric car as an alternative to overcome the inescapable problem of the rising gas prices, some saw it as a brilliant idea; and there were others standing at the opposite side. And with the green movement now gaining a steady momentum, it has now deeply penetrated into the motorsport scene in which had prompted the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) to launch a specific racing series called the Formula E All-Electric Car Racing Championship.
Of course, not all are into the idea of using anything else besides a gasoline-powered engine for a racing car. Audi and Peugeot demonstrated that diesel power could also propel a car into serious speeds, and also to the course of victory. The hybrid technology also has the same potential, where both Audi and Toyota had fielded hybrid-powered LMP1 racers in the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans. Although the odds were not with Toyota during this race, Audi dominated the class and took the podium with the R18 e-tron Quattro.
With such progress in the development of alternative fuels for racing cars, the FIA has announced that they had reached into an agreement with the Formula E Holdings (FEH) for an all-electric race car championship on 2014. The Formula E will be held in major cities worldwide with the demonstration run planned in 2013. Aiming to attract at least a team of 10 with 20 drivers, the inaugural race will take place at 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“This new competition at the heart of major cities is certain to attract a new audience. This spectacular series will offer both entertainment and a new opportunity to share the FIA values and objectives of clean energy, mobility and sustainability with a wider and younger audience as well”, said the FIA President Jean Todt.
And to those thinking that the electric cars running in this championship will be drab and slow, Lord Paul Drayson, owner of Drayson Racing Technologies and also a scientific advisor to FEH is going to prove otherwise. “People think they’re slow. We will show that it’s possible to do 200 mph or 0-60 in three seconds.”
He has been working alongside Lola for the past two years in developing the B12/69 LMP all-electric racing car, which was unveiled to the public during this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Powered by an 850-horsepower electric drivetrain, the Lola had even set a festival record on the timed hill climb course at 53.91 seconds; which was also an 11th overall.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBdsPZN3Q4E
