How Formula E built the most efficient electric race car in the world

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A little over eight months ago, the FIA proudly announced the newest beast in the Formula E armoury: the third generation of race cars in the all-electric championship, the giant leap forward which would be a milestone in the series’ progress towards being a tier one sport. In fact, the FIA proclaimed the Gen3 to be both the world’s first net zero carbon race car and also the “most powerful and efficient electric race car ever built”. “We’re only three races in and it depends on the teams’ efficiency storing it, but it ranges from 40 to 50 per cent of energy used throughout the race coming from the regenerative part - it’s massive.” Such was the blunt assessment of just how successful the Gen3 has been from an efficiency perspective, coming from one of the most informed sources available: Alessandra Ciliberti, the FIA’s technical manager responsible for bringing the Gen3 plans to life. For the teams, and increasingly in the Gen3 era, race strategy is this year playing a huge role with regards to when they utilise their Attack Mode - increased power for short periods of time - and energy management is central to everything in Formula E. While the body of the car itself is standardised, the open technology aspect means the rear powertrain is up to manufacturers to develop along with the software they utilise.