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The first ever test of the Green GT prototype: one of the pioneers of electric motorsport.
Video originally uploaded to YouTube by CarPlatform.
Video originally uploaded to YouTube by CarPlatform.
'Formula One' and 'green' aren't phrases you would normally expect to hear in the same sentence. But in a world that is growing increasingly conscious of its carbon footprint, the sport's gas-guzzling reputation is becoming ever harder to justify.
So far F1's concessions towards a cleaner future have been few and far between. Recently there has been much discussion among the teams regarding the possible reintroduction of KERS in 2011 as well as a new engine formula for 2013. But while it is true that cutting emissions and improving fuel efficiency are a part of their considerations, the proposed measures are more concerned with reducing costs, not helping the environment.
Indeed Mercedes GP's Norbert Haug has warned not to expect too much from the sport. "We can discuss green initiatives, but Formula One needs to be technically driven," he said. "We need to be mindful that we are building the cleanest cars we can ... we need to cut carbon emissions. But we must not think that a 700 bhp engine is going to be the greenest car ever, because that's not great."
Yet there is no reason why motorsport can't aim to be eco-friendly and at the same time still be innovative and cutting-edge. The technology already exists to build a zero-emissions racing engine, and is improving all the time. To implement it, however, will require rethinking the very nature of F1.
So far F1's concessions towards a cleaner future have been few and far between. Recently there has been much discussion among the teams regarding the possible reintroduction of KERS in 2011 as well as a new engine formula for 2013. But while it is true that cutting emissions and improving fuel efficiency are a part of their considerations, the proposed measures are more concerned with reducing costs, not helping the environment.
Indeed Mercedes GP's Norbert Haug has warned not to expect too much from the sport. "We can discuss green initiatives, but Formula One needs to be technically driven," he said. "We need to be mindful that we are building the cleanest cars we can ... we need to cut carbon emissions. But we must not think that a 700 bhp engine is going to be the greenest car ever, because that's not great."
Yet there is no reason why motorsport can't aim to be eco-friendly and at the same time still be innovative and cutting-edge. The technology already exists to build a zero-emissions racing engine, and is improving all the time. To implement it, however, will require rethinking the very nature of F1.
The end of petrol
There is more at stake for the sport than simply casting off its wasteful image. The Earth's oil reserves are finite, and they are being depleted now at a faster rate than ever. It is widely thought that we will arrive at 'peak oil' - the point at which global petroleum extraction reaches its maximum - in the next few decades, after which production is expected to crash sharply. Alarmingly, a report released last October by the UK Energy Research Council suggests that we could reach this point as early as 2020.
As crude oil prices rise and supplies continue to dwindle, then, one thing is clear: the days of the old-fashioned internal combustion engine are numbered. A petrol-driven economy is unsustainable in the long term. It will not be long before the automotive industry is forced to seriously turn its attention to alternative energy sources such as hydrogen fuel cells, and to electric vehicles (EVs).
To many motorsport fans it may sound like heresy, but the blunt truth is that if Formula One is to remain road-relevant and stay on the cutting edge of technological innovation - indeed if it is to survive at all - then sooner or later its only option will be to ditch the petrol engine and embrace the electric motor.
Welcome to the future
Eco-friendly racing is no mere pipe dream. Take, for example, the Swiss Green GT project, whose prototype racer has the equivalent of 350-400 bhp, is capable of reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.5s, with a top speed of 285 km/h (177 mph). By comparison, a modern Formula One car can manage 0-60 mph in two seconds, with top speeds at Monza in excess of 210 mph (328 km/h).
The gap is small, and growing smaller year on year. With the right investment from manufacturers, how long before it can be closed entirely - before an electric motor can achieve an F1-level of performance? The new engine formula is scheduled to last through to 2018, but after that could the future be electric? It's an intriguing prospect, and it all depends on whether the will is there to make the change. Almost certainly F1's governing bodies will need evidence that the concept of an electric-powered series can work before themselves taking the plunge.
However, that evidence may soon be available. This year Green GT plans to construct 20-25 chassis with which it intends to establish a European championship; its eventual goal is to enter its challenger in the LMP2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans to compete directly against its petrol-driven rivals. Meanwhile TTXGP - which ran a special electric event at last year's Isle of Man TT - will be running championships this year for zero-emissions motorcycles in North America, Italy and the UK. And the EV Cup - launched in January at the Autosport International Show - has plans for a six-race European series in 2011, regulated by the FIA, with separate categories for city, sports and prototype cars.
As crude oil prices rise and supplies continue to dwindle, then, one thing is clear: the days of the old-fashioned internal combustion engine are numbered. A petrol-driven economy is unsustainable in the long term. It will not be long before the automotive industry is forced to seriously turn its attention to alternative energy sources such as hydrogen fuel cells, and to electric vehicles (EVs).
To many motorsport fans it may sound like heresy, but the blunt truth is that if Formula One is to remain road-relevant and stay on the cutting edge of technological innovation - indeed if it is to survive at all - then sooner or later its only option will be to ditch the petrol engine and embrace the electric motor.
Welcome to the future
Eco-friendly racing is no mere pipe dream. Take, for example, the Swiss Green GT project, whose prototype racer has the equivalent of 350-400 bhp, is capable of reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.5s, with a top speed of 285 km/h (177 mph). By comparison, a modern Formula One car can manage 0-60 mph in two seconds, with top speeds at Monza in excess of 210 mph (328 km/h).
The gap is small, and growing smaller year on year. With the right investment from manufacturers, how long before it can be closed entirely - before an electric motor can achieve an F1-level of performance? The new engine formula is scheduled to last through to 2018, but after that could the future be electric? It's an intriguing prospect, and it all depends on whether the will is there to make the change. Almost certainly F1's governing bodies will need evidence that the concept of an electric-powered series can work before themselves taking the plunge.
However, that evidence may soon be available. This year Green GT plans to construct 20-25 chassis with which it intends to establish a European championship; its eventual goal is to enter its challenger in the LMP2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans to compete directly against its petrol-driven rivals. Meanwhile TTXGP - which ran a special electric event at last year's Isle of Man TT - will be running championships this year for zero-emissions motorcycles in North America, Italy and the UK. And the EV Cup - launched in January at the Autosport International Show - has plans for a six-race European series in 2011, regulated by the FIA, with separate categories for city, sports and prototype cars.
The inaugural TTXGP event at the Isle of Man TT in 2009.
Video originally uploaded by HellForLeatherMag.
Video originally uploaded by HellForLeatherMag.
If these first forays are successful, they could herald a new age of eco-friendly racing, and help to convince Formula One's governing and commercial bodies that such a concept is viable. At the same time, as battery and flywheel technology grows cheaper and lighter, electric power will become an ever more attractive proposition.
Driving forwards
Without a doubt the electric era will be a very different kind of motorsport to that which we currently know. For a start, race meetings will be much quieter affairs. It is hard to imagine the gentle whine of an electric motor ever stirring fans' passions in the same way as the deep, primal roar of a V8 firing up for the first time. But these are the kinds of sacrifices that will have to be made if Formula One - and motorsport in general - is going to survive beyond the next twenty years.
Nevertheless, a switch to electric power is not without its positive aspects - even aside from the environmental benefits. In purely engineering terms, an electric motor is able to deliver full torque through most of its rev range, offering a performance advantage over a petrol engine, which only reaches peak torque in a narrow RPM band. Since they have fewer moving parts, the cars would need less maintenance, and of course there would be no oil or filters to change. And electric racers are safer too: without fuel on board the risk of fire is much lower, meaning that pit crews could even shed their flame-retardant overalls.
The transition from petrol to electric power is inevitable - it is simply a question of when. But if F1 starts planning now for a zero-emissions future by developing and promoting greener, cleaner motoring, it can lead by example and be part of the solution rather than of the problem.
Driving forwards
Without a doubt the electric era will be a very different kind of motorsport to that which we currently know. For a start, race meetings will be much quieter affairs. It is hard to imagine the gentle whine of an electric motor ever stirring fans' passions in the same way as the deep, primal roar of a V8 firing up for the first time. But these are the kinds of sacrifices that will have to be made if Formula One - and motorsport in general - is going to survive beyond the next twenty years.
Nevertheless, a switch to electric power is not without its positive aspects - even aside from the environmental benefits. In purely engineering terms, an electric motor is able to deliver full torque through most of its rev range, offering a performance advantage over a petrol engine, which only reaches peak torque in a narrow RPM band. Since they have fewer moving parts, the cars would need less maintenance, and of course there would be no oil or filters to change. And electric racers are safer too: without fuel on board the risk of fire is much lower, meaning that pit crews could even shed their flame-retardant overalls.
The transition from petrol to electric power is inevitable - it is simply a question of when. But if F1 starts planning now for a zero-emissions future by developing and promoting greener, cleaner motoring, it can lead by example and be part of the solution rather than of the problem.
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