Racing For a Better Future – Formula E and Sustainability

When thinking about motorsports, one instantly remembers engines roaring and tires screeching, but a humming (and green) revolution is also underway.

It’s time to set aside old prejudices about electric cars, which suggest that they’re not as powerful as traditional gas engines.

Enter Formula E: the world’s first racing championship involving battery-powered cars, and they are fast! The first edition took place in 2014, organized by FIA. It began as an initiative to promote the improvement of electric vehicles and, above all, sustainable mobility, and it’s getting more exciting every year.

The following season will have 12 racetracks (one of them in Madrid), involving some of the most recognizable names in the auto industry. Carmakers like Jaguar, McLaren, and Porsche, along with seven other teams, demonstrate that the primary fuel in this sport remains adrenaline. Here’s what motorsports lovers need to know about this burgeoning category that is set to change not only motorsports but also urban mobility as a whole.

The Pole Position of Technological Sustainability

Motorsports, such as Formula 1 and NASCAR, have hundreds of millions of fans worldwide. However, growing concerns about their environmental impact have been pushing for changes. Formula 1 has consistently reduced its carbon footprint over the past few seasons. Last year, emissions were reduced by 26% compared to the 2018 season, with the goal of achieving net zero by 2030.

Indeed, vehicle emissions account for a significant portion of the sport’s carbon footprint, although factors such as manufacturing and travel also have an impact. Formula E handles this issue with innovative thinking and state-of-the-art technology. The best cars can run as fast as 322km/h, going from 0 to 100km/h in under 2 seconds.

Regarding fan engagement and viewership, the category is putting the pedal to the metal, reaching over 500 million fans worldwide. Unsurprisingly, the fast-and-furious electric races have gotten onto the radar of sports betting fans. Platforms like sportsbet.io offer a wide range of markets, including live bets.

For those already familiar with F1 betting, the betting markets are essentially the same. Likewise, it’s advisable to learn a thing or two about teams and pilots before wagering in. Additionally, Sportsbet offers racing-based casino games, including a plethora of slots (no fuel burning involved) that will surely please diehard fans between races.

About the Madrid E-Prix

The 2026 season will feature 18 races, marking the longest season to date. Since there are only 12 racetracks, some of them will host double races; such is the case of Madrid, Shanghai, and Mexico. It’s easy to understand why Madrid will have twice the fun: the Jarama-RACE Circuit was an astounding success in the pre-season tests. This positive result stems from the partnership between the RACE (Royal Automobile Club of Spain) and Formula E.

Ahead of the Curve

Formula E isn’t only a lot of fun; it’s also the frontrunner of sustainable motorsport competitions and green urban mobility. Naturally, these aren’t regular EVs, but the pinnacle of battery-based automotive technology. However, the advancements made there often trickle down to regular cars, much like they do in F1.

Thanks to F1 racing cars, technologies such as the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), paddle shifters, and dual-clutch transmissions have gained popularity. Likewise, the latest advancements in batteries for Formula E vehicles are already transforming the EV industry. Racing conditions require electric batteries to perform consistently over time and provide sufficient energy for sudden bursts of speed.

A regular EV, no matter how powerful, starts losing speed as the battery runs down, something that just can’t happen on a racetrack. Additionally, according to FIA regulations, there’s a weight limit for the batteries, which should not exceed a third of the vehicle’s weight. Formula E engineers are also at the forefront of developing efficient cooling systems.

These technologies are much more advanced and expensive than those found in regular EVs today, but so were F1 innovations not too long ago. After all, engineers not only aim at more powerful cars, but also at ways to reduce the costs of the technologies involved. So, it’s possible to have an idea of what the future of global EVs will look like.

Social Impacts

The humming of the electric engines reverberates much further than the racetrack stalls. It helps raise awareness about environmental issues and promotes a more sustainable future. Unlike traditional categories, most of Formula E’s racetracks are urban-based (like Monaco), providing a prime opportunity for carmakers to showcase their performance on the streets. At the same time, they demonstrate to the general public that EVs are ideal for daily driving.

The large-scale replacement of fossil fuel engines with electric batteries is a crucial step towards achieving the net-zero target for cities by 2030, as established by the Paris Agreement. Formula E is running straight into this objective, and not only with its cars. The organization takes a holistic approach to sustainability, as outlined in its Legacy Programme, which aims to promote social and environmental awareness across various communities.

Indeed, environmental education is one of the core pillars of the organization (as much as entertainment), promoting large-scale behavioral change via fan engagement and marketing campaigns. Undeniably, it’s the first car racing competition completely geared towards sustainability, born from cutting-edge technology, net-zero emissions, and a social purpose.

What Lies Ahead

Over its 11 years of existence, Formula E has evolved through several generations of motors. Currently, the Gen3 is the fastest and most powerful, featuring a 350kW battery and an additional 50kW in the front motor. However, the much-anticipated Gen4 could be premiering in the 2026 season or the next one, and it promises to outpace Gen3 by a few miles.

In fact, Gen4 has been touted as the “game over for F1,” as it’ll be just as fast, but much more environmentally friendly. According to Sylvain Filipi, Managing Director of Envision Virgin Racing Formula E Team, the next generation will likely have at least 600kW of power, challenging F1’s dominance as the fastest competition in the sport.

Final Lap – The Checkered Flag Is Green

Unquestionably, Formula E represents a paradigm shift, proving that high-octane entertainment and environmental responsibility can coexist. It has, once and for all, dispelled all the old prejudices regarding EVs, most noticeably about their power and performance. Indeed, Formula E drives the vanguard of sustainable motorsports, demonstrating that it’s possible to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in under 2 seconds with no carbon footprint whatsoever.

More than just a racing series, it’s a dynamic, open-air laboratory where the latest developments unfold before the fans’ very eyes. It’s also where the future of the auto industry is forged, offering a glimpse of what lies ahead for everyday vehicles. Above all, the sport is deeply rooted in social and environmental values, promoting educational initiatives and mass-scale behavioral change.

The 2026 will be the longest ever, but it’s not unreasonable to expect that it will grow even further, along with its fan base, beating one viewership record after another. It’s yet unclear whether the Gen4 will kickstart next year, but an F1-like competition where the hum replaces the vrum may be right around the corner. Anyway, the final signal is clear: in the race for a better tomorrow, the checkered flag is obviously green.