Formula One racing is one of the most popular sports in the world, but it’s hardly the most environmentally friendly. Despite the excitement, the glory and the scantily clad pit girls, the fact is that 20+ cars going 180 mph around a track produces a lot of pollution. In fact, it is estimated to do a full race in an F1 car, you would use (approximately) 2.947 litres a lap! Over 56 laps (a total race distance of 189.672 miles), you would consume a total of 165.05 litres of petrol. With that in mind, the European Union’s Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile is considering an electric F1 Championship that would aim to increase public awareness and acceptance of electric cars.
Image © Marc van der Chijs
Despite almost every major car maker producing EVs, the general impression is that electric and hybrid vehicles can’t match other cars when it comes to speed. Shows such as Top Gear aren’t helping matters either, but an electric F1 Championship would show that fast speeds can be achieved without creating polution.
Currently FIA president Jean Todt and the European Union’s industry commissioner Antonio Tajani are in discussion about how to go forward. An electric-car commission unit has also been set up within the FIA, headed by Burkhard Goeschel, a former BMW director.
“We want as soon as possible to have new categories with new energy,” Mr Todt told the Financial Times, adding that the first season for electric car racing could take place as soon as 2013.
Tajani said that he was hoping this would give the conversion of the European car industry a “concrete start”.
+ Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile
via Financial Times
Lead image © NRMAdriversseat
The FIA is not connected to the EU at all, other than being based in France (indeed the EU has investigated the FIA in the past for anti-competitive behaviour). The organisation pre-dates both world wars, and is the governing body for most motor-sport world wide (the top line US series are notable exceptions).
Wrong, Formula 1 is one of the only sport with a neutral carbon footprint:
http://www.trees.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=38:projects&id=116:jody-scheckter&Itemid=74
http://mclaren.com/page/mclaren-group-achieves-carbon-trust-standard-1
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/7/10977.html
And most of the F1 carbon emission is due to airplane transportation !
Racing is the fastest growing sport in America. If F1 can generate a lot of interest in EV’s, not only for consumers but the sport as well, NASCAR won’t want to play second fiddle to F1 and it may cause them to consider adopting the technology for its races. EV’s need more exposure and this is a step in the right direction.