World leaders met in Davos recently to discuss the state of the global economy. They also got to check out a state-of-the-art electric race car.
The Gen2 is the next generation vehicle for the ABB FIA Formula E electric car racing circuit. It has a top speed of 174 miles per hour and can accelerate to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds. Its engine boasts a 335-horsepower capacity and the battery has a 54 kilowatt hour charge. These are all improvements over the Gen2’s predecessor, the Gen1, which was used in the circuit’s first four seasons.
Formula E, now in its fifth season, is the biggest racing series in the world that exclusively uses electric race cars. 22 drivers in 11 teams race the cars in cities around the world, with the involvement of carmakers such as Jaguar, Nissan, BMW, Audi, DS and Mahindra. The first race took place in 2014 on the grounds of the Beijing Olympics—and since then it has grown in participants and popularity.
The race series also serves as a testing ground for electric vehicle technologies. "By racing on the streets, the series acts as a catalyst, helping to refine the design of electric vehicles and improve the driving experience for everyday road car users all over the world," states the Formula E website.
For example, this season will see the end of mid-race car switches—which were necessary in previous seasons because batteries could not last the entire race. But the Gen2’s improved battery allows drivers to complete the races on a single charge. “The greatest gains we will see this year are in battery technology: with just 20 percent more weight, they deliver 95 percent more energy,” said Frank Muehlon, head of ABB’s Global Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure.
ABB, the Formula E circuit’s title partner, showcased the Gen2 at Davos to highlight its suite of electric mobility technologies—which the company claims align with the summit’s focus on inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The Gen2 wasn’t the only feature in ABB’s showcase: the race car arrived in Davos on a train that uses ABB traction systems to navigate Switzerland’s challenging mountain transportation conditions, and ABB also powered the electric shuttle that transported delegates from Zurich Airport to Davos.
The Gen2 display in Davos is sure to attract interest among the movers and shakers of the world economy, putting sustainable transportation in their minds as they ponder the future.
Read more about the latest developments in electric cars at NAIAS: The Coolest Cars in Detroit.