FIA Announces Electric GT Category

INTRODUCTION:

Federation Internationale de l’Automobile(FIA) has announced that it will be introducing an all Electric GT category in racing. The cars that cater to this category will feature a fine concoction of innovations that are unseen in motorsport till date.Manufacturers can use this platform to develop technologies that are relevant for their high end performance cars. Unlike Formula E, wherein the format consists of electric powered race cars which go around a temporary street circuit, the cars that are built to this regulations will be able to race on the full length permanent circuits.

The cars developed as per the new regulation will have performance very similar to the current crop of GT3 cars but they will have the ability to outclass them in terms of sheer acceleration and qualifying pace.

TECHNOLOGY AND COST : FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE

The new class is based on direct involvement of the manufacturer.The technical regulations are prepared to achieve the right amount of balance between OEMs to  express themselves in creativity and developing cutting edge technology,while keeping a check on the cost.

The category will be opened to both specialists in constructing electric vehicles who have no prior experience in combustion engine motorsports as well as the manufacturers who are committed to GT3 class. The latter who can make changes in their architecture and design in their existing cars so that they could utilise the electric power.

The weight of the car build under these newly formed regulations will vary between 1490 to1530 kg with maximum power reaching upto a 430kW.

BATTERIES AND POWERTRAIN:

The new class will not rely on traditional standardized batteries. A partnership with industry leading firm named Saft, a subsidiary of Total means, manufacturers can build their bespoke layouts based on cells supplied by Saft. Saft has developed bespoke Li-ion (lithium ion) Batteries that are specifically optimized for the new class.

On the aspect of regen and charging, the cells that are designed by Saft will have 700kW of regen and 700kW of fast charging. This will allow them to replenish 60 percent of their capacity during pitstop.  Manufacturers will have the freedom to choose their powertrain setup and they can also choose between two wheel drive and four wheel drive configurations depending upon the number of motors in the powertrain.

The cars will also feature a dynamic vehicle control that will adjust torque based on depending on various parameters like speed,acceleration,steering angle and traction thereby improving the handling characteristics.

WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON?

The long term vision of FIA is to reduce CO₂ emissions. In order to achieve this vision FIA will implement sustainable energy sources across their motorsport formats. The promoter for this new class of motorsports will be announced shortly. One can read the detailed report here

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