The OEMs are paying attention now. Longo, who is originally from Spain, reports that in the decade since the series’ launch, Jaguar has increased the range of its electric I-Pace car by 10% through wireless efficiency updates developed in Formula E, and racing innovations helped Nissan achieve an astounding 181% improvement in battery efficiency for its Leaf during its time racing in the series.

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He notes that when Formula E’s open-wheel single-seater races began, EVs had a range of just 25 kilometers (approximately 15.5 miles). Today, that figure has skyrocketed to more than 500 or 600 kilometers (310 to 372 miles), with charging times reduced to as little as seven to 10 minutes for some vehicles. Longo recalls that during Formula E's inaugural season, drivers needed two cars to complete a 40-minute race because of limited battery capacity. Within just four years, advancements in battery technology doubled energy storage capacity while reducing size and weight, allowing drivers to complete races faster with a single car. Looking to the future, he envisions even more dramatic advancements, including domestic batteries with ranges of 1,500 to 2,000 kilometers (932 to 1,243 miles) and charging times as low as three minutes.

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Sustainability lies at the core of Formula E's mission. The championship has maintained a net-zero carbon footprint since inception and has thus far offset more carbon dioxide each year than the previous one. The company’s commitment to sustainability extends to collaborations, with logistics partner DHL sharing the same net-zero goal. Formula E also prioritizes sustainable fuels for its operations, including sea and road freight, and pioneered the use of sustainable aviation fuel to transport racing equipment from Berlin to Shanghai earlier this year, marking a first in motorsport history.

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Do spectators miss the sound of revving, roaring engines? For some, the relative quiet is actually a selling point, says Longo, noting the green aspect of EV racing is what attracts many fans, given the high carbon cost that comes with racing-performance combustion engines. For those who savor the scent of a traditional racetrack, however, rest assured that the smell of hot brakes and burning rubber remains a staple. Even so, Longo notes 26% of the material used in Formula E tires is made from sustainable materials—“unheard of in motorsport” and yet another innovation making its way to the consumer market via its tire partner, Hankook.

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Formula E is typically a one-day affair to minimize city disruption, and the series has introduced a qualifying format, akin to a tennis tournament, that contributes to the spectacle. (Although setting up tracks in the heart of the world’s biggest and busiest cities presents significant logistical challenges, the benefit to host cities is substantial, with each pocketing an average of $80 million to $100 million per event.) The action is intense, Longo says, with an average of several hundred overtakes per race. Events also include off-track entertainment in the form of “E Villages,” which feature sponsor booths, merchandise stands, food vendors, and family-friendly interactive displays and entertainment areas.

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The emphasis on entertainment and accessibility (many spectators walk or take public transportation to the events, or even watch from their windows and balconies) has paid off. In just 10 years, Formula E has become the fourth-largest motorsport property globally, amassing 400 million followers worldwide—50% of which are female, a rarity in motorsports—whose average age is 27. That’s pretty impressive, Longo says, noting there are some 650 million fans of all motorsports worldwide. “With 8 billion people in this world, that means we have 7.4 billion people to convince that Formula E is the right sport to watch.”

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