Electric motors already give Formula E cars a blistering launch off the line, and every season the series edges closer to Formula 1 in outright speed. Yet raw pace is only one part of the story. To understand whether an electric single-seater can truly beat the current kings of motorsport we need to compare powertrains, energy storage, aerodynamics, race formats and the regulations that shape both championships.
Acceleration: The Electric Advantage
Formula E’s Gen3 car delivers up to 350 kW (≈470 hp) to the rear wheels, and an additional 250 kW front motor is used solely for regenerative braking. The result is a 0-100 km h (0-62 mph) time of roughly 2.8 s—fractionally quicker than a modern F1 car that averages around 2.9 s. That edge comes from the electric motor’s instant torque, available from 0 rpm without clutch slip or turbo lag.
Why F1 Launches Lag Behind
Formula 1’s hybrid V6 engines peak near 1,000 hp, but delivering that power requires climbing the rev range while deploying energy from the MGU-K. Traction control is banned, so wheel-spin or a minor clutch error easily erodes the first 50 metres—precisely where Formula E shines.
Top Speed: A Narrowing Gap
In flat-out trim, F1 cars routinely exceed 350 km h (≈217 mph). The current Formula E car tops out at 322 km h (≈200 mph) on street circuits. The difference is shrinking thanks to:
- More efficient inverter technology delivering sustained high power.
- Slimmer, lower-drag bodywork on the Gen3 chassis.
- Regenerative front axle that reduces rear-brake cooling demands, letting designers tighten aero packaging.
Energy Storage: The Battery Bottleneck
• Formula E: 54 kWh lithium-ion pack, ≈1.1 MJ kg−1 energy density.
• Formula 1: 110 kg of fuel ≈4,400 MJ plus a 4 MJ electrical store.
An F1 grand prix covers around 305 km; a Formula E race is capped near 100 km. Matching F1 distance with today’s Li-ion chemistry would require a battery well over 300 kWh—too heavy for competitive lap times. Until solid-state or other high-density chemistries mature, battery mass will remain the limiting factor.
Race Distance & Strategy
Shorter electric races are not just a battery concession; they enable street-circuit formats that highlight acceleration and energy-saving strategy. Drivers manage regen, coasting lines and “Attack Mode” power boosts rather than fuel blends and tyre degradation. Both series end up energy-limited, but Formula E reaches that limit in 45 minutes whereas F1 does so in roughly 90.
Aerodynamics and Track Design
Street circuits favour electric cars because:
- Lower average speeds reduce drag penalties.
- Tighter corners exploit instant torque and regen braking.
- Shorter straights mask the top-speed deficit.
On an open, flowing grand-prix circuit like Monza, the aero-efficient F1 car would stretch its legs and pull away by multiple seconds per lap.
Regulatory Constraints and Future Roadmaps
Formula 1
• 2026 regulations will drop fuel flow limits and mandate 50 % electrical power in each lap.
• Sustainable e-fuels aim to cut net CO₂ emissions without sacrificing range.
Formula E
• Gen4 (target 2026) is expected to exceed 600 kW combined power with fast-charging pit stops.
• Battery energy density is projected to jump 15–20 %, trimming weight while extending race length.
Technological Innovations on the Horizon
• Silicon-carbide inverters: Increase efficiency at high switching frequencies.
• Solid-state batteries: Could double energy density within a decade.
• Active aero: Already discussed for F1; could compensate battery mass in an electric car.
What Would a True Head-to-Head Look Like?
Lap-time simulations suggest that on a 5-km Tilke-style circuit:
- F1: 1 min 29 s baseline lap.
- Current Formula E: 1 min 45 s (≈18 % slower).
- Hypothetical Gen4 with 600 kW & 80 kWh: 1 min 37 s.
The electric car’s corner-exit acceleration claws back time, but long straights still favour the lighter, aero-optimized hybrid.
Bottom Line
Formula E already beats Formula 1 off the line and is steadily eroding the top-speed gap. The decisive hurdle is energy density: until batteries approach the specific energy of liquid fuels—or rapid pit-lane charging offsets that gap—F1 will maintain an advantage in full-race performance. Over short sprints on tight circuits, however, the next generation of electric racers could plausibly set faster lap times within the decade.
