Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds boldly predicts that Gen 5 race cars could soon rival Formula 1 machinery, marking an exciting evolution in electric racing. In this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup, discover how these advancements are shaping the future of Formula E and the latest sustainable motorsport developments from around the globe. Stay tuned for more insights into the world of eco-friendly racing!
Sustainable Motorsport News
Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds confident that Gen 5 version of the open-wheel series’ all-electric cars will be able to compete with F1 cars sooner than you might think, but not everyone is convinced. “Formula E continues to make technology leaps, and CEO Dodds is now predicting that Formula E cars will be able to compete with Formula 1 cars within the next seven or eight years.”
For the third consecutive year, Finland’s WRC round provided the backdrop for Spark the Future – AKK Sports Ltd and Secto Rally Finland’s sustainable forum, supported by WRC Promoter and the FIA. “Motorsport must try and become part of the solution, otherwise it will be part of the problem.”
Matthew Campelli of Sustainability Huddle explains how Formula E and Google are demonstrating AI’s potential for supporting sport’s net zero ambitions. “While many sports have declared net zero targets, Formula E is among the few to pursue formal certification, and is beginning to explore how technologies like AI might support the delivery of those goals.”
The return of an international fully electric touring car championship is not on the cards for the immediate future according to FIA Circuit Sport Deputy Director Stuart Murray. “Because everyone thought there was going to be this huge rush towards electrification, which ultimately hasn’t happened, not just in motorsport but in the general automotive market.”
Silverstone, the home of British motorsport, has named tem, the energy transactions platform, as its Official Supporting Partner in a new multi-year deal that cements the world-class circuit’s position at the forefront of sustainable innovation in sport.
Stuart Pringle, Chief Executive Officer at Silverstone, said, “One of the biggest sustainability challenges the sporting industry faces today is energy affordability and transparency. For large venues like Silverstone, it’s essential to understand exactly where our power comes from — and how it’s contributing to our environmental goals. Through our partnership with tem, we’ve been able to match our electricity usage directly with UK-based renewable generators and reduce our carbon footprint.”
Sustainable Motorsport Tech
Goodwood Road & Racing asks, is hydrogen-powered off-roading the future of rallying?
The Pioneer 25 has been crafted by Spark Racing Technology. It packs a 75 kW Symbio hydrogen fuel cell and a 325kW Fortescue Zero battery, feeding electric motors producing 544PS (400kW), which makes this 2,200kg, 2.4-meter-wide monster capable of 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds, all the while tackling 130% gradients on brutal off-road tracks.
Fueled by hydrogen taken from renewable sources like solar and wind, it emits only water vapour and heat in the name of delivering zero-emission thrills. At FOS Future Lab, visitors had the opportunity to inspect the Pioneer 25’s FOX Suspension Live Valve Technology, which is capable of real-time damping, and the car’s safety system complete with polymer-lined fuel tanks.
Racecar Engineering looks at how to get the most out of a Hypercar hybrid system. “While this is controlled by electronics, the question is whether or not it is better to have a bespoke design of motor and inverter in an LMH or simply run the standard Bosch MGU-K found in every LMDh.”
Nissan is considering using its Formula E team to develop prototype versions of hot EVs that could be used to help create future Nismo performance models. “We have the Ariya Nismo now, which has no influence from Formula E, but we are considering a collaboration for future models. We could do a prototype version, then they could use that as a base to develop future products.”
While Honda and its Spanish subsidiary Montesa are competing in the TrialGP and X-Trial World Championships with the internal combustion engined [ICE] Montesa Cota 4RT trials bike, a new Honda Montesa team is set to compete in the Trial2 series with an electric bike.
The RTL Electric powertrain uses a modified version of the battery from the Honda CR Electric Proto electric motocross bike, which competed as a wildcard entry in the 2023 All Japan Motocross Championship (JMX), and in the FIM E-Xplorer World Cup, a worldwide competition for electric offroad bikes, in 2024.
Sustainable Racing
The cobra is a quick, silent snake that strikes fear in the heart of its prey. Much the same can be said of the lookalike Cobra built from scratch in Vancouver, BC, by Doug Yip of SCCA’s Northwest Region. The one-of-a-kind creation is fast, quiet, and ready to attack as a result of being an electric vehicle (EV). Read more about it at the SCCA website here.
Getting to the Track Sustainably
- Why are PepsiCo and XPO Collaborating for Electric Freight? (EV Magazine)
- Air France-KLM becomes the first airline group to join the new EU flight emissions labelling scheme (Green Air News)
- Breakthrough Hydrogen Fuel Production Uses 3 Unlikely Ingredients (Auto Blog)
- M&S marks six months since deploying Renault Trucks E-Tech T eHGVs (Commercial Motor)
- Joby and Archer Take Center Stage in the Race to Make eVTOL Travel a Reality (Robb Report)
- FAA Certifies Hartzell’s First Electric Engine Propeller (AIN)
- Eve Air Mobility Scores Firm Order for 50 Electric Aircraft (Business Jet Traveler)
- IATA brings together airlines and SAF suppliers on new procurement platform (Green Air News)
- Volkswagen Is Pouring Millions More Into Solid-State Battery Development (Inside EVs)
- Taycan Turbo GT achieves even more lap records (Porsche)
- Waste Carbon to SAF Process Touted as Cost Breakthrough (AIN)
- Australia’s Revolutionary Hydrogen Powder Is Easier and Cheaper to Use for Clean Energy (Good News Network)
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.
