Formula E Claims The Gen3 Is The Most Efficient Racing Car, But Its Speed Doesn't Match F1 Cars

The Gen3 electric race car was launched this year as the most efficient race car. (photo: doc. formulae.com)

JAKARTA - Formula E has announced their claim to be the most efficient racing car on the planet. The team that will appear in this electric car race will use third-generation electric vehicles (Gen3) in the 2022-23 season. Riders can even start testing it in the spring.

Not only is the Gen3 lighter and smaller than the Gen2, but Formula E and the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) also say that at least 40 percent of the energy used in racing will be generated through regenerative braking. As such, the Gen3 will be the first formula car without rear hydraulic brakes.

The Gen3 is also the first formula car with powertrains at the front and rear. The 350kW rear powertrain will be complemented by 250kW upfront. With a total of 600kW, they will more than double the regenerative capabilities of Gen2.

The future’s coming.

And there’s no turning back.

Gen3. Season 9. 2022/23. #ChangeAccelerated

— ABB FIA Formula E World Championship (@FIAFormulaE) November 29, 2021

In addition, the bike can deliver up to 350kW (470 brake horsepower) and a top speed of 200mph (321 km/h). Formula E and the FIA say the power-to-weight ratio is twice as efficient as an equivalent combustion engine.

Gen3 is designed for the sustainability of environmentally friendly cars. This is a clean zero carbon car and the damaged carbon fiber parts will be recycled. Tires, meanwhile, will use 26 percent of materials from sustainable products.

"In designing the Gen3 car, we wanted to demonstrate that high performance, efficiency, and sustainability technologies can coexist without compromise," Formula E CEO Jamie Reigle said in a statement quoted by Engadget.

"Together with the FIA, we have built the world's most efficient car and sustainable high-performance race car. The Gen3 is our fastest, lightest, most powerful, and efficient race car," added Reigle.

Formula E hasn't fully showcased the Gen3 design yet. It just released some teaser images. However, since the team will be testing the car in a few months, it won't be too long before we get a proper look at the vehicle.

However, Reigle itself has not dared to claim that this car will be faster than an internal combustion car competing in F1 races. However, if you look at the maximum speed of only 321 km/hour, it is still quite far below the fastest F1 car in the 2021 season which was recorded to be able to go up to 362.4 km/hour at the Qatar Grand Prix.