The batteries powering the world’s fastest racing EVs – BBC

Report on Formula E’s Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Motorsport as a Catalyst for Sustainable Innovation

The Formula E racing series serves as a critical platform for high-speed research and development in electric vehicle (EV) technology. Innovations engineered to maximize vehicle performance are directly transferable to the consumer EV market. This technological transfer accelerates the global transition to electric mobility, contributing significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and supporting several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to climate action and sustainable infrastructure.

Technological Advancement and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Formula E’s primary contribution to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) lies in its role as an incubator for advanced battery technology. While the fundamental chemical principles are consistent across all electric batteries, the demands of motorsport push engineering to new limits. According to Douglas Campling, General Manager of Motorsport at Fortescue Zero, “The battery in your TV remote has the same fundamental chemical reaction as the battery cells that are used in all road vehicles and motorsport batteries.”

The core components and process remain standard:

• Anode: The negative electrode from which electrons flow.
• Cathode: The positive electrode that receives electrons.
• Circuit Connection: When in use, a circuit connects the two, and the resulting flow of electrons provides power.

The challenge, however, has been to enhance energy storage and range to meet the demands of a full race. The evolution of this technology is evident in the series’ history. As noted by Beth Paretta, Vice President of Sporting at Formula E, early seasons required drivers to switch cars mid-race due to insufficient battery range, a practice now obsolete due to significant technological progress.

Impact on SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action)

The innovations developed within Formula E are pivotal for advancing SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). By pioneering methods to maximize energy efficiency, the series directly addresses the need for cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions in the transport sector. The application of these lessons to commercial vehicles has a cascading effect on global climate goals.

1. Enhanced Battery Efficiency: Designers have developed numerous strategies to extract maximum power and range from battery units, pushing the boundaries of what is possible for electric powertrains.
2. Technology Transfer: Knowledge and innovations from the racetrack are actively applied to the design and production of more conventional electric vehicles for the public.
3. Accelerating the EV Revolution: By improving the performance and viability of EVs, these advancements help drive wider consumer adoption.
4. Reducing Emissions: The resulting shift from internal combustion engines to electric power is a key strategy in cutting global greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • The article discusses innovations in battery technology for Formula E cars, which are a form of clean energy for transportation. The efforts to “squeeze every last volt out of their batteries” contribute to making electric energy a more efficient and viable power source for vehicles, aligning with the goal of promoting clean energy.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

   • The core theme of the article is technological innovation. It describes the “ingenuity” and “arsenal of tricks” used by designers to improve electric vehicle performance. Crucially, it highlights the transfer of this innovation, stating that “many of the lessons learned in Formula E are being applied to more conventional electric vehicles,” which directly supports the goal of upgrading industries with new technology.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • By helping to “drive the electric vehicle revolution,” the technologies discussed in the article contribute to making transportation systems in cities more sustainable. Widespread adoption of electric vehicles reduces urban air and noise pollution, which is a key component of creating sustainable cities.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • This is the most explicitly stated goal. The article concludes its introductory paragraph by stating that the application of Formula E technology to conventional vehicles is “helping to drive the electric vehicle revolution and cut global greenhouse gas emissions.” This directly addresses the urgent need to combat climate change by reducing emissions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

   • The article’s focus on maximizing battery performance relates directly to energy efficiency. The text mentions the challenge of designing a battery to “keep it going for the entire race” and how early seasons required drivers to switch cars due to limited “battery range.” The subsequent improvements in battery technology to overcome this represent a significant increase in the energy efficiency of electric vehicles.

2. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors…encouraging innovation.

   • The article serves as a case study for this target. It details how a high-performance industrial sector (Formula E motorsport) acts as a research and development platform. The process of applying “lessons learned in Formula E” to the mainstream automotive industry is a clear example of upgrading the technological capabilities of that sector through innovation.

3. Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality.

   • The “electric vehicle revolution” mentioned in the article is a primary strategy for achieving this target. By promoting vehicles with zero tailpipe emissions, these technological advancements directly contribute to improving urban air quality and reducing the overall environmental footprint of transportation in cities.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Improvement in battery range and efficiency

   • The article implies this indicator by contrasting the performance of current Formula E cars with those from the “first few seasons,” where the “battery range wasn’t where it is today,” forcing drivers to “switch cars in the middle of the race.” The increase in battery range is a direct and measurable indicator of improved energy efficiency (Target 7.3).

2. Rate of technology transfer and adoption

   • The statement that “many of the lessons learned in Formula E are being applied to more conventional electric vehicles” implies an indicator related to the adoption of these advanced technologies in the mass-market automotive industry. Measuring the extent and speed of this application would track progress towards upgrading industrial capabilities (Target 9.5).

3. Reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions

   • The article explicitly mentions the goal to “cut global greenhouse gas emissions.” This is a high-level, quantifiable indicator used to measure the overall success of climate action initiatives (SDG 13) and the environmental impact of sustainable technologies (Target 11.6).

4. Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bbc.com