Just like the automotive business, motorsport is shifting in the direction of progressive electrification. Even in classes with hybrid powertrains, the thermal part is turning into much less vital than previously, aside from the WRC, which just lately took a step again to cut back prices.
In different four-wheel classes, resembling WEC or Components 1, hybrids play a key function. In Components 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 vehicles.
Alongside hybrid powertrains are totally electrical ones, resembling these in Components E. A hybrid system naturally differs from a totally electrical one, however there are shared components, resembling the truth that power recovered throughout braking passes by a battery earlier than powering a motor-generator to maneuver the automobile.
The battery itself is among the most fascinating components, not solely as a result of technological developments have enabled vital progress in only a few years but in addition 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 Components E vehicles. Podium already boasts intensive expertise in different classes. Based in 2011, Podium started its journey in motorsport by growing hybrid programs for vehicles 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 totally electrical motorbike 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 by a young because the unique provider of batteries for all Components E groups beginning in 2027.
Relating to batteries, the primary main distinction is the facility profile, which varies relying on every sequence’ rules and the distinct necessities of hybrid and totally electrical programs.
Energy Profiles and Dimensions: How Batteries Fluctuate
“Every battery pack has its personal distinctive traits, significantly when it comes to 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 Street Vehicles and Motorsport Enterprise Traces at Podium, in an interview with Motorsport.com.
“In a hybrid system, the battery pack normally 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 Components 1 or the WEC, which characteristic hybrid programs, are notably compact in comparison with these in Components E. In F1 or WEC, the place inner combustion engines nonetheless play a serious function and take up vital house alongside the gasoline tank, the main target is on making battery packs as compact and light-weight as attainable whereas sustaining effectiveness when it comes to energy output.
In Components E, and extra typically in totally electrical sequence, a lot bigger capacities are required to finish the race distance utilizing solely the power saved within the battery. “Battery packs for electrical functions sometimes have decrease C-rates as a result of they’ve massive capacities. Even when they ship excessive energy, the facility 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 contains quite a few cells, however not all cells are appropriate for each software, making the collection of the best cell essential.
“This has vital impacts on many areas, beginning with cell choice. Not all cells can carry out the identical job, so the best cell should be chosen for the best software. 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, resembling laser or ultrasonic welding, deciding on probably the most acceptable one primarily based on the battery pack’s utilization profile.”
Cooling Methods Fluctuate with Energy
The upper the facility output, the larger the warmth that must be dissipated, necessitating a devoted cooling system. This presents a fancy problem for each hybrid and electrical programs. In F1, for example, the place batteries must ship vital power and are positioned to maintain the middle of gravity low and preserve aerodynamic effectivity, discovering the best stability between reliability and efficiency is important.
“The design and improvement of cooling programs differ relying on necessities as a result of battery packs with very excessive C-rates generate a number of warmth in every cell, so an environment friendly method to dissipate that warmth should be devised,” Ciancetti explains.
Podium begins battery improvement with a mathematical mannequin that defines the primary facets 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 automobile 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 every little thing across the cell, together with the module idea, cooling programs, connections, and different facets.”
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