Formula E
Envision Virgin reveals first two-seater electric formula car
The Envision Virgin Racing Formula E team has lifted the lid on the world’s first two-seater electric formula car as part of its United Nations Climate Change Conference display.
Matt Kew
Edited: Oct 29, 2021, 11:10 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
This marks a joint venture with FTSE 100 sustainable technology company Johnson Matthey, while Motorsport.com understands that Delta Engineering, which has built two-seat Formula 1 cars in the past in addition to the spec Grand Prix Masters machinery, had led the development.
The powertrain features the first full-size application of Johnson Matthey's eLNO lithium-ion battery, which deploys nickel-rich cathodes to provide 20% greater energy density than conventional road car technology.
This culminates in a power output of 250kW, equivalent to 335bhp, and matches the maximum capacity that the McLaren Applied-powered Formula E cars can activate via attack mode as of the 2022 season.
Figures released give the car a top speed of 140mph, while the sprint to 60mph is reckoned to be 3.2 seconds.
That works out as 34mph and four tenths slower than the final-year capabilities of the Gen2 Formula E cars.
The "dedicated" two-seater carbon-fibre monocoque uses a tandem set-up to house its driver and passenger, while the car will run slick tyres as opposed to the current treaded all-weather Michelin compound used in Formula E.
Envision Virgin Racing managing director and chief technology officer Sylvain Filippi said: "The two-seater race car has been specifically designed to test and push the battery performance to its extreme.
"This battery technology is unlike anything else we've seen before, and we wanted to create a prototype car that would really put it through its paces and showcase its huge potential.
"Challenging on-track trials will provide an accurate indication of how the battery could perform in commercial use.
Nick Cassidy, Envision Virgin Racing, Audi e-tron FE07, Managing Director, Sylvain Filippi
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
"It won't be required to reach the same speeds away from the track but will face other modern commuting and road-driving demands that require strong, reliable battery performance.
"These really are next generation batteries with the potential to revolutionise the wider public adoption of EVs."
Envision Virgin Racing will, in addition, unveil its 2022 Formula E challengers at the COP26 summit in Glasgow, while also showing a Formula E car made entirely of plastic waste.
Johnson Matthey's battery materials sector chief executive Christian Gunther added: "As the very first public application of our eLNO technology, the two-seater race car will provide a stunning next step in bringing our ground-breaking technology to market.
"Not only will the racer generate valuable test data, but we look forward to giving passengers the opportunity to experience the visceral thrill of a high-performance electric race car."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Cape Town round dropped from Formula E calendar, Jakarta in
Next article Da Costa to remain with DS Techeetah in 2022 FE season
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Matt Kew
Marko suggests Perez's improved F1 form because 2025 contract at stake
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Marko suggests Perez's improved F1 form because 2025 contract at stake
Russell explains how low-fuel runs expose Mercedes F1 inconsistency
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Russell explains how low-fuel runs expose Mercedes F1 inconsistency
Leclerc: No answer for "once in a season" Japan F1 qualifying struggle
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Leclerc: No answer for "once in a season" Japan F1 qualifying struggle
More from
Envision Racing
The reunited Formula E partnership that could finally flourish
Formula E
Formula E
The reunited Formula E partnership that could finally flourish
Powell joins Envision Virgin as Formula E sim driver
Formula E
Formula E
Powell joins Envision Virgin as Formula E sim driver
Why Cassidy will be no ordinary rookie in Formula E
Formula E
Formula E
Why Cassidy will be no ordinary rookie in Formula E
Latest news
Five key takeaways from F1's big African Grand Prix reveal in Rwanda
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 1 min
Five key takeaways from F1's big African Grand Prix reveal in Rwanda
Niels Koolen makes switch to Abel Motorsports ahead of 2027 Indy NXT campaign
Indy NXT
IndL Indy NXT 1 h
Niels Koolen makes switch to Abel Motorsports ahead of 2027 Indy NXT campaign
GT World Challenge Portimao: All you need to know about season finale featuring Max Verstappen
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 1 h
GT World Challenge Portimao: All you need to know about season finale featuring Max Verstappen
13 Autosport retains unchanged lineup for 2027 IMSA campaign, eyes global expansion
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 2 h
13 Autosport retains unchanged lineup for 2027 IMSA campaign, eyes global expansion
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe