Formula E introduces fast-charging pit stops
Fast charging during pit stops was initially announced back in 2022, but Formula E has now announced that it will be ready for the Jeddah E-Prix in Saudi Arabia on 14 and 15 February 2025. The system must be extremely reliable to avoid distorting the sporting competition. In a private EV, a hiccup at the charger is annoying but usually bearable. However, those responsible wanted to prevent such an error during the world championship at all costs, so the introduction of the charging stop was repeatedly delayed.
Fast charging during a pit stop is not directly comparable to charging an electric car, however, as the vehicle is not charged to 80 per cent. With ‘Pit Boost,’ the race cars can recharge ten per cent of their energy – or 3.85 kWh – with a 30-second fast charge at 600 kW in the pit lane. The cars are supposed to be stationary for 34 seconds, so only four seconds are allowed for plugging in and unplugging the charging cable.
Briefly on the sporting integration into the races: In ‘selected races,’ so not all outstanding races this season, the ‘Pit Boost’ is mandatory for all drivers. That means that the teams cannot choose whether the time lost during the pit stop is exceeded by the additional energy (which corresponds to more available power for a fixed race distance, as additional range is not required) or whether it would be wiser to forego the charging stop – it is mandatory. The ‘Pit Boost’ cannot be freely selected either, but only from a certain charge level of the cars, which is communicated to the teams 21 days before the race. Only one car per team may be recharged in the pits. In addition to the existing ‘Attack Mode’, the teams must thus manage two strategic elements side by side in order to achieve the best possible race result.
“Pit Boost will challenge teams and drivers alike to make high-stakes decisions under intense pressure,” says Alberto Longo, Co-Founder and Chief Championship Officer at Formula E. “The potential for dramatic overtakes, unexpected twists, and human ingenuity will elevate the excitement for our fans and showcase Formula E and the FIA’s relentless commitment to innovation.”
“Following a comprehensive testing programme, we are glad to once again be able to push the boundaries of electric mobility with the introduction of Pit Boost,” added Marek Nawarecki, FIA Senior Circuit Sport Director. “This pioneering new feature will add another strategic element to the sport, and underscores the FIA’s steadfast commitment to developing evermore advanced race-to-road technologies – an approach that is perfectly exemplified by the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.”
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