Formula E is off to a great start this year and after the first epic race in Beijing, the series in gaining in popularity. Find out how Williams fit 200 kW of batteries in a Formula E race car.
Williams Shoves 200 kW Pack in Formula E
Robert Llewellyn takes a closer look behind how Williams manages to pack no less than a 200kw battery pack to power the Formula E cars. Williams shoves the equivalent of 10,000 AA batteries in the Formula E chassis, roughly 320 to 325 kilos, or 716.50 Lbs. Over 150 Lithium-Ion cells make up the battery pack.
Obviously, with this much energy on board, you need serious cooling and the thermal management uses a dielectric chemical, non-conductive, apparently.
Robert explains how Williams became the battery company for Formula E this year with their extensive Formula One experience and their battery technology.
Formula E Opens The Doors
So far, a few companies have designed and manufactured this year’s Formula E, mostly Renault, Williams, and a few others, however, all if this will change. As of next year, other companies have been invited to build their own chassis. The following year, we should see battery charging happening, mostly through inductive system, spearheaded by Qualcomm Halo, opening another chapter of this new racing event.
What’s Special About Formula E?
Formula E is the beginning of a new race era, certainly powered by an unconventional powertrain, a battery pack and an electric motor. The genius of the Formula E series is that it aims to get teenagers excited and involved. This makes a lot of sense. Most drivers don’t have a shot to race in Formula 1. It has become extremely competitive and therefore, extremely expensive.
Today, you need to be born into a well-off family to have a chance to one day race at the top. Formula E will try to get teenagers excited again and hopefully show that it is still accessible.
So far, Formula E has attracted big name racers from Formula 1, as well as lesser-known racers from other series. Williams shows how engineering that much battery power in a race chassis takes expertise. We can’t wait to see how Formula E will evolve over the next years.
