Ultra-fast charging cables and 600kW batteries used in motorsport could be on UK roads within years, according to Formula E chiefs. Dan Cherowbrie, Chief Technical Officer at Formula E, has stressed that it was “almost a given” technology used on the track would be in electric road cars by the end of the decade.
Formula E speeding up EV development
Formula E is speeding up the development curve for manufacturers, with teams already using the series to develop software for controlling battery temperature and range. According to Dan, these innovations have subsequently been used in the EVs they produce, and it’s unlikely to stop there.
Formula E’s new Gen4 car will make its race debut at the opening round of the 2027 season in Mexico City in January and it could be a complete game-changer. The new car will be capable of 600kW of peak power, up from the previous 350kW in the old Gen3 Evo models.
Gen4 car performance specs
The Gen4 car will hit 0-60mph in just 1.8 seconds, with the package fitted with permanent all-wheel drive and a top speed of over 208mph.
When asked whether the technology used in the cars will soon be on the road, Dan told The Express: “I believe it’s almost a given that we will see batteries at the same level, as those we use, in road cars by 2030. You see the almost exponential development of technology within the automotive industry for EVs, and it's growing both in popularity and in the manufacturers' deliveries.”
Road relevance and rapid charging
Dan stressed Formula E already had a high level of road relevance with their GEN3 Evo cars, but admitted this will only grow as the series embarks on a new era with their Gen4 machine. Teams don’t design their own batteries, and all use a single supplier. However, teams build their own software to manage the battery and the systems around it, with the learning and development feeding into their road cars.
There are already some road cars capable of 600kW of peak power, including the Mercedes-AMG GT 55 4MATIC+ EQ and the Maserati GranCabrio Folgore. However, another aspect where Formula E really is breaking new boundaries is around rapid charging.
An in-race PIT BOOST delivers a 600KW 10% energy blast in just 30 seconds during pit stops. The fastest roadside chargers can currently top-up cars for 100 miles in around two minutes, but is it a matter of time until this is completely shattered?
Julia Palle, vice-president for sustainability at Formula E previously said that a fast charger could be mainstream within years and suggested the technology could be deployed on the streets by 2030.
Dan told The Express: “I think working with all the teams and manufacturers in the Championship, Formula E is helping to achieve that dream. For many, the modern-day cars have 400-mile-plus ranges, which people are benefiting from.
“Increasing EV range will also be combined with fast charging, which will continue to develop. We have done a lot of innovative work in this area through our PIT BOOST, a mid-race feature that provides drivers with a 10% energy increase via a 30-second, 600kW boost in the pit lane.”
