Formula E increases available power during races for 2017/18 season
Formula E will increase the amount of power available to drivers during races for the 2017/18 season
The provision to allow an extra 10kW power usage - up from 170kW to 180kW - has been written into the electric series' roadmap since 2015 and will be implemented for the first time next season after it was approved by the World Motor Sport Council on Monday.
Increasing race power to 180kW also brings race power closer to that available in qualifying, which is currently 200kW.
The hike in available power has the potential to increase focus on energy management during races.
"I think the effect on energy management will come down to what the FIA decides to do on race length," Andretti team principal Roger Griffiths, who also heads up the Formula E Teams' Association, told Autosport.
"If the races are longer or even the same length, having the extra power will make it a little harder to complete the race.
"But perhaps people will have made efficiency improvements to their overall powertrains so this may compensate for some of it."
Venturi's Maro Engel said: "I think it is extremely positive and it will make a difference.
"The pace will be quicker, battery temperatures will change and it will make a difference related to the data which has been gathered this year and there will be faster races as well.
"In general the roadmap is there to continuously keep making Formula E faster and it is a positive idea as far as I am concerned."
IN-SEASON TEST REINSTATED
Additional changes for the season ratified by the WMSC include more testing opportunities for teams, with the return of an in-season test day.
In-season testing was part of the first two seasons' sporting structure with a full day of testing taking place in 2014 and 2015 on the day after the Punta del Este event in Uruguay.
It was scrapped this year after plans for a day of running after the Mexico City ePrix came to nothing.
For season four it is believed that either Marrakesh or Mexico could host the extra day of running.
Autosport understands that teams lobbied promoters to reinstate the in-season test.
Formula E drivers Lopez and Buemi 'uncomfortable' about WEC clashes
Red Bull F1 reserve Gasly poised to replace Buemi for New York FE
James: Mercedes Formula E project has "added to rich heritage" in motorsport
Mercedes Formula E team principal Ian James was pleased that the squad could "play a part" in the German manufacturer's 128-year motorsport history, as it bows out from the championship.
Mortara surprised at 'ease' of building lead in Seoul E-Prix
Seoul E-Prix winner Edoardo Mortara found it "easy" to build a gap at the start of the season finale, admitting to "making life difficult" by hitting the Turn 7 wall.
Evans "gave it everything" in Formula E title shot
Formula E title runner-up Mitch Evans felt he "gave it everything" to win this year's championship, but says a lack of consistency hurt his and Jaguar's overall chances.
Vandoorne: Four-way Formula E title battle added to "beautiful story" of triumph
New Formula E champion Stoffel Vandoorne felt that the 2021-22 four-way title battle added "a beautiful story" to his triumph, and admitted "surprise" at his consistency this season.
Can anyone beat Stoffel Vandoorne to the Formula E title?
Stoffel Vandoorne is on the brink of the Formula E title with a commanding lead ahead of the Seoul finale, but both rivals and unknowns still stand in his way. Here’s a run through of what Vandoorne must overcome to clinch the championship and how his competition will look to pull off the biggest of shocks
How Formula E's most underrated driver is taming his Dragon
It might not look like the most glittering of Formula E campaigns, but Dragon Penske’s youngster has caught the eye of those who count despite his future remaining unclear. Regardless of the distortion, Sergio Sette Camara has a clear vision of what he’s focused on and how to get there
How Formula E's title fight gave way to Dennis and Di Grassi in the dockyards
The penultimate stop on Formula E's world tour took in London's ExCeL, where the championship contenders were upstaged by two first-time winners in 2022. Andretti’s Jake Dennis kept the home fires burning in the first race as Venturi’s Lucas di Grassi claimed the second, but two consistent finishes mean its advantage Stoffel Vandoorne heading to the Seoul finale
The ex-F1 racer turned Venturi team boss adapting to a Formula E title fight
For the second year in a row, the Venturi team is in the thick of the fight for Formula E title glory with Edoardo Mortara. That's despite a change to a more meritocratic qualifying system, which was expected to give the works Mercedes team an edge, and ex-Formula 1 racer Jerome d'Ambrosio being new in the team principal hot seat. As he tells Autosport, it's a challenge he's revelling in
Why Sims is quitting Formula E to become the master of his own destiny
Alexander Sims’ call to give up a pukka Formula E spot after four seasons in the series may have surprised some, but after laying out his reasoning and what he hopes comes next, very few onlookers can argue against his plan
How Formula E's Big Apple crunch led to Cassidy joy and heartache
Nick Cassidy hadn't enjoyed too many joyful moments in the 2021-22 Formula E campaign, but the Envision Virgin driver was the class of the field in New York - even after a sudden downpour had caused him and several others to shunt heavily out of the first race. Red flags saved his bacon on that occasion, but a 30-place penalty that cost him pole for race two due to a new battery opened the door for Antonio Felix da Costa
Mortara turns up the heat on Formula E title rivals in Marrakech scorcher
Formula E’s unplanned return to Marrakech provided teams with a fresh challenge in old but familiar surroundings, as Edoardo Mortara kept his cool in melting conditions to triumph and retake the championship lead
How Formula E's double-duty drivers influenced their Le Mans teams' fortunes
Eight Formula E drivers made the 7,000-mile sprint from the streets of Jakarta to the fabled Circuit de la Sarthe and every one had a story to share at this year's Le Mans 24 Hours. Despite a range of triumphs and disappointments, each driver doubling up on the day job played a key role in their teams' fortunes