‘We’re accelerating faster than any other race car in the world,’ Sylvain Filippi CTO of Envision Racing, tells Air Quality News.
Image: Sylvain Filippi, CTO and Managing Director at Envision Racing
This week Formula E unveiled its new Gen4 car, which will make its debut in the 2026-27 racing season, and to say it is impressive would be an understatement. The car boasts 600kw of power – equivalent to 800hp – compared with 350kw in the previous Gen3 model.
In addition to its speed, Formula E explained the Gen4 is ‘the world’s most efficient and sustainable race car: almost 100% motor efficiency, regenerating 40% energy,’ and highlights that ‘its construction uses 100% recyclable materials’.
‘The GEN4 is designed for the pioneers of tomorrow,’ Alberto Longo, co-founder of Formula E and chief championship officer, said. ‘The new technical capabilities, from 600kw of power to active all-wheel drive, will test our drivers like never before. It’s a car built for wheel-to-wheel battles and pure racing action.
‘Together with the FIA, we’ve created the most challenging Formula E car to master, and we can’t wait to see the incredible racing it will deliver for fans around the world.’
Echoing a similar sentiment, Sylvain Filippi, CTO and managing director of Envision Racing – one of the teams competing in the Formula E championship – told Air Quality News that the Gen4 is the most ‘impressive car ever created in Formula E.’
‘In 12 years of development, we went from one of the slowest to the second fastest thing after F1 on lap time, but we’re actually faster on acceleration,’ Sylvain said. ‘So it’s unbelievable, really.’
To give context, Sylvain explained Formula E is often compared to Formula One, with many people criticising the series for having cars that are too slow. Formula E cars are fully electric and rely on batteries, so historically they haven’t reached the same top speeds.
‘We are still a very young sport and to make the improvements we have over the last 12 years has been incredible,’ Sylvain continued. ‘In our electric technology we are still making massive steps. For example, we were testing last week in Spain and if you stand on the pit road, on the straight of the circuit, and one of our current Formula E cars passes by at 260 kilometres an hour, it is highly impressive. It’s already one of the fastest race cars anywhere.’
Image: Envision Racing’s current Formula E car
‘When we were creating Gen1 and Gen2 of our cars, we were focused on efficiency and energy density, but now we’re looking at ways we can achieve top speeds,’ Sylvain added.
’10 years ago, people were telling me “Oh yeah, I watch Formula E a little bit, it’s fine, but the car is slow”, but now our car is faster, we’re hoping to attract a bigger audience.’
The upcoming Formula One regulations are also set to benefit Formula E. Starting in 2026, F1 cars will be smaller, powered by sustainable fuels, and deliver half of their power electrically.
‘I think because motorsport is becoming more environmentally friendly, more people will be attracted to Formula E,’ Sylvain said. ‘We will attract a new fan base, who will be watching our new car and think ‘this is crazy, it’s like an F1 car’, which is great, because ultimately our mission is to accelerate the adoption of electric cars and talk about renewable energy as well.’
Images: Envision Racing/Paddy McGrath
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