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Don't you think Tesla Motors should have a Formula-E team?!
- Thread starter tkizzy
- Start date
Sunlight
Member
As a long term racing follower and a supporter of EVs, Formula E has certainly grabbed my attention and I think it is fair to say that the first season exceeded most people's expectations by some margin. Indeed Richard Branson is quoted as saying that he thinks it will rival Formula 1 in five years. Hmmm - maybe..!
More and more car manufacturers and related companies are getting involved in FE - presumably as a research exercise as well as for the publicity. If, and when, EVs reach a tipping point (5-8 years?) then Formula E will be a major category - and, indeed, threaten F1 as constantly developing turbo-ICE dominated powertrains will start to seem counter-productive. FE can only get bigger; better; faster; more amazing - it is currently on the bottom rung of the ladder.
Currently the whole FE car is 'standard' and the regulations are loosening up on components in a step-by-step way - initially the motor and drive as mentioned by other posters. The car and the batteries are to stay 'standard-issue' for a few more years but apparently there will be a tender process for the battery packs (and other components) in the future.
Tesla does not need to enter a team or even build a car but could very beneficially tender for various components as this may be cost-neutral (or even profitable). As there would be no direct competition, Tesla could never be 'beaten' and it would certainly take Tesla's name out into a wider world and increase credibility!
As well as boosting Tesla's research/real world experience at the cutting edge. Tesla could keep reappraising to decide how far to dive in. They could even be out-tendered/withdraw without any negative spin.
The danger for Tesla with FE would be to get involved with car design/running a team and then end up as a mid-field runner (or worse!) with all the negativity that would follow. Not to mention the cost and diversion.......
But with judicious targeting of FE, I think Tesla could benefit substantially at minimal cost and, possibly, be involved in a EV driving force just as it was growing into a 'mainstream' company. A sort of EV Ferrari - especially if its components started winning championships!
But supplying 'standard' battery packs or electronics or drivelines or such like to all could be very beneficial and a smart move.
More and more car manufacturers and related companies are getting involved in FE - presumably as a research exercise as well as for the publicity. If, and when, EVs reach a tipping point (5-8 years?) then Formula E will be a major category - and, indeed, threaten F1 as constantly developing turbo-ICE dominated powertrains will start to seem counter-productive. FE can only get bigger; better; faster; more amazing - it is currently on the bottom rung of the ladder.
Currently the whole FE car is 'standard' and the regulations are loosening up on components in a step-by-step way - initially the motor and drive as mentioned by other posters. The car and the batteries are to stay 'standard-issue' for a few more years but apparently there will be a tender process for the battery packs (and other components) in the future.
Tesla does not need to enter a team or even build a car but could very beneficially tender for various components as this may be cost-neutral (or even profitable). As there would be no direct competition, Tesla could never be 'beaten' and it would certainly take Tesla's name out into a wider world and increase credibility!
As well as boosting Tesla's research/real world experience at the cutting edge. Tesla could keep reappraising to decide how far to dive in. They could even be out-tendered/withdraw without any negative spin.
The danger for Tesla with FE would be to get involved with car design/running a team and then end up as a mid-field runner (or worse!) with all the negativity that would follow. Not to mention the cost and diversion.......
But with judicious targeting of FE, I think Tesla could benefit substantially at minimal cost and, possibly, be involved in a EV driving force just as it was growing into a 'mainstream' company. A sort of EV Ferrari - especially if its components started winning championships!
But supplying 'standard' battery packs or electronics or drivelines or such like to all could be very beneficial and a smart move.
Yesterday at TMC Connect someone asked Ricardo Reyes, Tesla VP of Global Communications, why Tesla wasn't involved in racing. He said it had been discussed internally and at this time there were no plans to do so because the costs outweighed the potential benefits and Tesla did not need to have a racing program for marketing purposes.
