ABB supplying charging to Formula E Gen 3 cars

ABB will provide the charging technology for the Gen 3 cars in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

A title partner since Season 4, ABB will supply the tech for Season 9, starting 2022 for the cars designed to be lighter, faster and more energy efficient.

The agreement has been officially commemorated via a virtual event between ABB Electrification president Tarak Mehta, ABB Formula E partnership head Daniela Lužanin, Formula E chairman and founder Alejandro Agag, and Formula E chief executive Jamie Reigle.

Together with engineers from motorsport governing body the FIA and Formula E, ABB’s Electrification teams are working on the specifications and requirements to develop an innovative and safe solution for charging the Gen 3 cars through portable charging units that can charge two cars simultaneously.

With about 14,000 DC fast chargers installed across more than 80 countries, ABB has a wealth of proven technology and experience which will be incorporated into these chargers for Gen 3 and adapted in a bespoke way to meet the particular needs of the racing environment.

“The ABB FIA Formula E Championship is more than a race – it is our test-bed for innovative electromobility technologies, driving development to the production line of electric vehicles and ultimately contributing to a cleaner environment for all,” Mehta says. “We are very proud to be associated with Formula E and the FIA’s decision to elevate the race series to World Championship status in Season 7 enhances Formula E’s growing impact.”

Agag says ABB has worked closely with Formula E to develop the series as a proving ground for race-to-road technology development that promotes the founding purpose of accelerating the adoption of EVs to counteract climate change.

Adds Reigle: “ABB will provide critical charging technology that will improve the racing product and showcase the potential of enhanced charging capabilities for electric vehicles.”

An official partner of the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E team, ABB says the championship is set to return with six races at Tempelhof Airport, Berlin, from August 5.

ABB has also launched a new Formula E media site.