While the FIA Formula 1 may be the most popular motorsport championship, the all-electric Formula E championship continues to advance and refine their vehicles, showcasing that motorsport which includes more sustainable initiatives does not lack in technological development, nor excitement. While automakers and developers have continued to advance passenger vehicles towards alternative engine solutions, motorsport has not been as quick to the transformation.
The rise of alternative engines in motorsport
Motorsport quite possibly is the ultimate representation of the potentials an internal combustion engine can reach. Thus, it was always going to be a challenge to push the industry towards transforming their vehicles to anything else. However, amidst growing concerns for the current climate crisis and increased demand for more sustainable solutions, motorsport has been shifting towards an expanded and transformed reality which includes alternative engines.
A leader in this has bee the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. This competition sees teams lines their vehicles up on the grid for a day of racing– all powered by electrical engines. Formula E is the highest class of competition for electrically powered single-seater racing cars and achieved FIA world championship status in 2020.
New futuristic designs, and they’re not from Formula 1
Formula 1’s extensive new regulations and polices for the 2026 racing season have recently been dominating motorsport news, underscored by sustainable practices. Not only will next year’s championship be the first time that teams will be required to use 100% sustainable fuels to power their vehicles by drawing upon a redesigned power unit which offers an even split between internal combustion engine and electric power, but the vehicles lining up on the grid are also set to look very different. We are set to see cars which are about 30kg lighter with moveable front and rear wings, increased aerodynamic capability, and increased battery power amongst other changes.
However, Formula E has their own changes coming for this year’s racing season beginning on December 6 in São Paulo, Brazil. This season will welcome the Gen 3 Evo car updates, which means the addition of all-wheel drive, massive power boosts, and increased grip. However, next year will also see the move to an all-new Gen 4 platform, which will boast a horsepower of 804hp like never-before seen. Currently, cars on the grid are limited to 402 hp, meaning next year’s season will see vehicles unleashed with double the capability of this upcoming season’s ones.
Alternative engines sustain the thrill of motorsport
The new updates from Formula E highlight how alternative engine technologies in the motorsport space are fast advancing, promising to offer a racing season which does not sacrifice precision engineering or performance. These new vehicles challenge assumptions about what defines speed and excitement on the track in motorsport, with new enhancements in battery capacity, energy recovery systems, and lightweight materials, contributing towards pushing the boundaries of what electric vehicles can achieve in terms of acceleration, endurance, and agility.
While Formula E continues to advance their competition, new alternative engine solution motorsport competitions are also on the rise. Extreme H is set to begin this year, the first motorsport competition which will see the most advanced hydrogen-powered engines hitting off-road terrain in some of the toughest environments to navigate.
In addition to new competitions, existing ones continue to investigate sustainable solutions to transform current vehicles. The new GR LH2 Racing Concept developed by Toyota Gazoo Racing in collaboration with the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance event–showcasing a vehicle which could soon be featured in the competition. Le Mans also saw Kawasaki showcase a hydrogen-powered motorcycle at one of their races earlier this year, offering insight into what their vision of electric and hydrogen powered motorcycles added to the competition could look like.
