ABB using Formula E as test bed for new vehicle charging technology

20/07/2020

ABB, the technology and e-mobility provider, is developing new vehicle charging technology that will be used for season nine of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

Engineers from motorsport governing body the FIA and Formula E, as well as ABB’s electrification teams are currently working on the specifications and requirements to develop solutions for charging the Gen3 electric racing cars through portable charging units that can charge two cars simultaneously.

ABB, who is also a member of Smart Transport, has been title partner of the Formula E championship since Season 4 and Gen3 cars will be racing for the 2022-2023 season.

Tarak Mehta, ABB electrification president, said: “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.”

Alejandro Agag, founder and chairman of Formula E, said that since ABB joined as the title partner, they have worked to develop the series as a proving ground for race-to-road technology development.

Agag said: “Formula E promotes our founding purpose of accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles to counteract climate change.”

ABB recently launched its new 180kW Terra 184 high-powered electric vehicle (EV) charger.

ABB said the new charger, which is available to order in Europe now, is compact enough at 0.5m2 that it can be used in locations in city centres where space is at a premium.

A single charger can also be used to charge three vehicles at once.

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