Just like the automotive business, motorsport is shifting in the direction of progressive electrification. Even in classes with hybrid powertrains, the thermal part is changing into much less vital than previously, aside from the WRC, which lately took a step again to scale back prices.
In different four-wheel classes, corresponding to WEC or Method 1, hybrids play a key position. In Method 1, for example, the brand new energy models debuting in 2026 will see a rise within the electrical part, contributing as much as 50% of the overall energy output of the automobiles.
Alongside hybrid powertrains are absolutely electrical ones, corresponding to these in Method E. A hybrid system naturally differs from a totally electrical one, however there are shared components, corresponding to the truth that vitality recovered throughout braking passes via a battery earlier than powering a motor-generator to maneuver the automotive.
The battery itself is likely one of the most fascinating components, not solely as a result of technological developments have enabled vital progress in only a few years but additionally as a result of every class has particular wants. Primarily, whereas each sequence makes use of batteries, not all batteries are appropriate for each sequence.
This can be a subject Motorsport.com mentioned with Podium Superior Applied sciences, the Italian firm set to provide batteries for the upcoming Gen 4 Method E automobiles. Podium already boasts intensive expertise in different classes. Based in 2011, Podium started its journey in motorsport by growing hybrid techniques for automobiles competing within the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, such because the P4/5 Competizione, and later expanded to different sequence.
The Italian firm contributed to the event of the SCG 007C, the Glickenhaus Hypercar that competed within the WEC for 3 seasons, collaborated with Audi on the RS Q e-tron that received the Dakar, and provides batteries for MotoE, the absolutely electrical bike world championship that accompanies MotoGP.
This intensive expertise has allowed Podium to deeply analyze the nuances of varied championships. Their high quality as a producer additionally led the FIA to pick them via a young because the unique provider of batteries for all Method E groups beginning in 2027.
In terms of batteries, the primary main distinction is the ability profile, which varies relying on every sequence’ rules and the distinct necessities of hybrid and absolutely electrical techniques.
Energy Profiles and Dimensions: How Batteries Fluctuate
“Every battery pack has its personal distinctive traits, notably by way of energy profiles—i.e., the quantity of kW enter and output and its ratio to the pack’s capability,” explains Luca Ciancetti, co-founder and head of the Highway Vehicles and Motorsport Enterprise Traces at Podium, in an interview with Motorsport.com.
“In a hybrid system, the battery pack often has a really small capability measured in kWh as a result of it must be light-weight. Nonetheless, it additionally has a really excessive energy profile because it should ship vital energy when in use. So, in a hybrid system, the C-rate—the indicator of energy relative to the pack’s capability—is excessive.”
For instance, the batteries utilized in Method 1 or the WEC, which function hybrid techniques, are notably compact in comparison with these in Method E. In F1 or WEC, the place inside combustion engines nonetheless play a significant position and take up vital house alongside the gasoline tank, the main target is on making battery packs as compact and light-weight as doable whereas sustaining effectiveness by way of energy output.
In Method E, and extra typically in absolutely electrical sequence, a lot bigger capacities are required to finish the race distance utilizing solely the vitality saved within the battery. “Battery packs for electrical functions usually have decrease C-rates as a result of they’ve massive capacities. Even when they ship excessive energy, the ability output is a small or comparatively small a number of of their capability,” provides Ciancetti.
Not All Cells Are Appropriate
This distinction in energy profiles is a basic consider how motorsport batteries are designed and constructed, ranging from the preliminary challenge part. Every pack includes quite a few cells, however not all cells are appropriate for each utility, making the collection of the proper cell essential.
“This has vital impacts on many areas, beginning with cell choice. Not all cells can carry out the identical job, so the proper cell have to be chosen for the proper utility. There’s additionally the matter of connection applied sciences between cells, as totally different present ranges between cells require totally different connection strategies,” Ciancetti explains.
“We use numerous connection strategies, corresponding to laser or ultrasonic welding, deciding on probably the most applicable one based mostly on the battery pack’s utilization profile.”
Cooling Programs Fluctuate with Energy
The upper the ability output, the higher the warmth that must be dissipated, necessitating a devoted cooling system. This presents a fancy problem for each hybrid and electrical techniques. In F1, for example, the place batteries have to ship vital vitality and are positioned to maintain the middle of gravity low and keep aerodynamic effectivity, discovering the proper steadiness between reliability and efficiency is crucial.
“The design and improvement of cooling techniques fluctuate relying on necessities as a result of battery packs with very excessive C-rates generate a whole lot of warmth in every cell, so an environment friendly strategy to dissipate that warmth have to be devised,” Ciancetti explains.
Podium begins battery improvement with a mathematical mannequin that defines the principle elements of the system earlier than delving into particulars. “We now stay in an period the place design is usually model-based. Whether or not it’s for a automotive or a battery, we all the time begin with a mathematical mannequin representing the system we’re designing,” Ciancetti says.
“Within the case of batteries, the mannequin of the cell, the module, and the battery pack has totally different inputs and traits relying on the cell we’ll use and the mission we have to obtain. From there, we begin designing all the pieces across the cell, together with the module idea, cooling techniques, connections, and different elements.”
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