The FIA announces an agreement with EDF
The FIA has just announced on its official website the signing of a 3-year partnership agreement with EDF as the official technical supplier for auditing and research questions on propulsion, charging systems, and electrical safety in motorsport, particularly around the Formula 1 and Formula E championships.
The three-year agreement aims to promote the exchange of information between experts from both parties for the use and practical application of electric batteries, motors, transmission and charging systems, and infrastructure.
To explain the importance of such a partnership, Jean Todt, the president of the FIA, emphasized the role of electricity in the future of automobiles: « I am very pleased with the agreement signed today with EDF, which will boost innovation and collaboration on the next generation of vehicles. As one of the leading companies conducting research on electromobility, EDF will bring invaluable expertise to our championships, allowing the FIA to further strengthen its position as the principal promoter of new technologies. »
For his part, Bernard Salha, the director of research and development at EDF, reminded the role of motorsport as a laboratory to bring the latest technological advances to the general public:
I am very happy with this agreement with the FIA, which allows EDF to be technically involved at the highest level of motorsport and thus contribute to the evolution of new technologies, particularly with the use and promotion of electric energy and the prospects for further technical developments, some of which will be used in private cars.
Bernard Niclot, technical director of the FIA, notes that it was essential to have an experienced partner on the brink of a new era in motorsport: « 2014 is a year of great technological revolution for the FIA championships with the arrival of powerful hybrid engines in Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship, as well as the introduction of the new Formula E Championship. In this context of developing new technologies, EDF’s high level of technical expertise is essential. »
More specifically, EDF’s role will also be to support the FIA in developing appropriate standards and regulations for electric and hybrid racing vehicles, particularly in relation to safety and emergency training. Finally, the collaboration between EDF and the FIA will aim to audit automotive championships where vehicles use fully or partially electric propulsion systems.
