Formula E Gen4

Article by Tobias Selerit

4th generation Formula E cars bring a big step in power and speed. The numbers are clear. Gen4 cars are at least 5 seconds per lap faster than Gen3 Evo on street tracks. In qualifying mode, they are even 10 seconds faster. That is a huge jump. Top speed reaches 335 km/h.

Gen3 pre-Evo cars already had two motors, but the front motor was only used for electricity generation under braking. Gen3 Evo and Gen4 cars have 4-wheel-drive.

With Gen4, it is possible to use two aerodynamic setups: for efficiency reasons low drag setup is used in the race, and high downforce setup in the qualifying session. Gen4 brought a 150% downforce increase!

The battery has 51 kWh capacity. Charging power peaks at 600 kW. Around 4 kWh is charged during the 34 seconds mandatory pit stop. Under braking, both motors can recover up to 350 kW each. In theory, that is 700 kW of energy going back into the battery. Up to 50% of the energy needed in the race is generated during braking.

The Gen4 cars are very long at 5.54 meters. That is 15 cm longer than the BMW i7 luxury limousine with its long wheelbase.

Development rules are strict. All teams get the chassis and body from Spark Racing Technology. Podium Advanced Technologies supplies the battery. It contains no rare earth minerals.

Manufacturers build key performance parts. This includes the electric motor, electronics, brake-by-wire system, software, gearbox, differential, drive shafts, and cooling.

The grid is strong thanks to brands like Porsche, Jaguar, Mahindra, Nissan, Lola, and the Stellantis group.

Formula E series was launched already in 2014. Gen4 cars were built for the 13th season starting in December 2026.

Formula E	Gen3 Evo	Gen4
Normal Mode	300 kW	450 kW
Attack Mode	350 kW	600 kW
Max regen	600 kW	700 kW
0-100 km/h	2 sec	1.8 sec
0-200 km/h	5.9 sec	4.4 sec
Top speed	200 mph 320 km/h	208 mph 335 km/h
Length	5016 mm	5540 mm