Tuesday 7 January 2014

Electric racing car rolls into Las Vegas

It’s a fair gamble to say Las Vegas has probably never before seen this powerful an electric car.

Yesterday the vehicle to be used in Formula E’s racing series made its public debut by rolling into the American gambling capital.

Former Formula One driver Lucas di Grassi took the zero emission single-seater for a spin past the Las Vegas strip and Caesar’s Palace (pictured).

Revving up ahead of the first race in September, the Formula E car is capable of speeds in excess of 150mph.

It's been built by some of the leading names in motorsport including Dallara (chassis), Williams (battery design), McLaren (powertrain & electronics), Renault (overall system integration) and Michelin (tyres).

Alejandro Agag, CEO of series promoters Formula E Holdings said: “2014 is a very big year for Formula E with the championship starting in September so it’s important to be starting on such a positive note.”

He said the drive is the first of many roadshows planned over the coming months: “We want as many people as possible to see and hear what we believe is the future of motorsport.”

Budding British Formula E fans will have to wait a little while longer as the race comes to London in summer 2015.