Lesson

What are the electric vehicles' place in the racing scene and the history of Formula E?

Objectives:

Understand the difference between Formula E and Formula 1 in both the cars themselves and the way they race.
Recall the upbringing of electric cars in the professional racing scene and how it came to be.
Understand the many changes within the cars that made them what they are today.

Lesson:

Start with introducing the topic of Formula E (Hook) - 2 mins
1. Ask the class what they know about it or what they could know about it
  1. Formula E only uses electric cars and more city tracks
2. Propose the question about whether they know why or not and then proceed to telling them why and teaching lesson
3. Would y’all go to a race?
4. Video
Brief History of Formula E and how it began (Introduction) Source: "History - ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.” The Official Home Of FormulaE, 2023, Accessed 12 Jan 2023. - 4 mins
1. The idea of Formula E started back in 2011 as just an idea on a napkin (“History”).
  1. Formula E Founder Alejandro Agag and former FIA President Jean Todt
2. They met at a restaurant in Paris on March 3, 2011 and that is when the idea really came to life and they began to create what we know today as Formula E. A full electric racing scene (“History”).
3. The creation of their mission statement.
4. The series officially debuted in Beijing in 2014.
  1. *pictures and video*
5. It has now grown into a league with 12 teams and 24 drivers.
History of the Car itself (Lecture) Source: Mraz, Stephen. "The Evolution of the Formula E Racecar.” Machinedesign.Com, 2023. Accessed 12 Jan 2023. - 8 mins
1. *Add lots of pictures of each generation of car and explain to them while looking at the picture so people really get a good understanding of the car and differences*
2. How it started with Gen 1 and add pics
  1. Body style comes from Italian engineers that create indy cars and Formula 2/3
  2. 0 - 62 mph in 3 sec
  3. Top speed of only 140 mph
3. The introduction of Gen 2 in 2018-2019 season
  1. A lot lighter and safer
  2. Top speed 174 mph
  3. Addition of attack mode
4. Tie the Generations together with the latest Gen 3 car
  1. Looks are based on a fighter jet
  2. Top speed of 200 mph!
  3. Pitstop recharging was added
Differences between Formula E and F1 (Powertrain) Source: Scarborough, Craig. "In-Depth: The Formula E Powertrain Explained.” CAR Magazine, 2020. Accessed 12 Jan 2023. - 4 mins
1. Battery instead of a motor
  1. Helps to reduce the weight of the vehicles
2. FE is run in cities making it closer to spectators and easier to watch.
3. The ability to turn braking heat to regenerate power in the battery.
4. “Without the need for fuel injection or ignition, the role of electronics on the electric race car are required to switch the electric from AC to DC between motor and battery respectively” (Scarborough).
5. Which do y’all think is faster?
6. Video
Finish with the student's opinion on the vehicles, if there is anything they would like to see differently, and which vehicle they prefer. - Rest of the time.

Materials:

Powerpoint presentation
Gen 2 Mini-figure

Bibliography

“Drag Race: Formula E vs WRC vs Formula One... in the wet! | Top Gear Christmas Special | Top Gear.” Youtube, uploaded by Top Gear, 24 Dec 2021.

"History - ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.” The Official Home Of FormulaE, 2023, Accessed 12 Jan 2023.

Mraz, Stephen. "The Evolution of the Formula E Racecar.” Machinedesign.Com, 2023. Accessed 12 Jan 2023.

“New Gen3 Formula E car makes world debut at Goodwood | Festival of Speed.” Youtube, uploaded by Goodwood Road & Racing, 24 June 2022.

“Race Highlights | 2022 Monaco E-Prix Round 6.” Youtube, uploaded by ABB Formula E, 30 April 2022.

Scarborough, Craig. "In-Depth: The Formula E Powertrain Explained.” CAR Magazine, 2020. Accessed 12 Jan 2023.

Slides Link