The secrets of the race car battery

What makes the e-Andros Trophy special ? First of all, it is a car competition on ice, and moreover, it is run by 100% electric cars since 2020! AMEG Group's partnership with the racer Aurélien Panis offers the opportunity to immerse oneself in the technology of the electric car. What about the battery in racing cars? How does it work and what are its characteristics?

The electric car in motor racing

The first electric vehicle was born in 1834, but it was only 16 years later that the rechargeable electric battery was born. Since then, innovations have continued to improve the prowess of the machines. In motorsport, the electric car is more recent and manufacturers are using it as a playground to design ever more efficient models.

Electricity in motor racing brings a new technological dimension. Sensations and power are always there, although driving is different and the management of the battery charge brings an additional constraint.

PHOTO BRUNO BADE

The race car battery

So, what are the secrets of the battery of Aurélien Panis' race car? Theelectric Audi A1 that he drives for the e-Trophée Andros, develops a power of 250 kilowatts or about 340 horsepower, with a torque of 1600 Nm. Aurélien, himself, is still amazed by the vehicle's acceleration capacity.

A single-speed gearbox

The Audi is equipped with a single-speed transmission, which does not require shifting. It works more or less like an automatic car with three positions, forward, reverse and neutral.

These are the modes that will allow the driver to manage the engine power, an essential tool in the driving strategy. MAP1 is used just before the race to get the car on the track, as well as at start-up. MAP2 is the intermediate mode which transmits power progressively to the wheels, to be preferred on tarmac. The last power mode or MAP3 generates maximum power, as quickly as possible.

A 240 kilo battery

To supply the electric motor, instead of the internal combustion engine and its gearbox, a large battery of 240 kilos is placed in the passenger seat. It is a 14 module 50V battery with a maximum voltage of 705V. This corresponds to a total energy of 33 kWh.

How does its loading work? How long does it last? The battery life is about 15 to 20 minutes when the car is at its maximum power. This is more than enough time for the e-Trophee Andros sprint races that last less than 10 minutes. The car goes from 20 to 80 percent charge in 36 minutes. In total, it takes 45 minutes to fully charge the race car battery. This speed is necessary to have time to recharge the battery between two driving sessions.

With the weight of the battery and the rest of the equipment, the Audi A1 of Aurélien Panis weighs a total of 1,130 kilos! However, according to Aurélien Panis, the times and performances of the e-Andros Trophy have become better than those of combustion engine cars, thanks to an increasingly powerful engine and advanced technology.