BMW recently announced it is joining FIA Formula E Championship, becoming an official manufacturer for the 2018-19 Season 5. Vehicles will all have BMW’s newly-developed electric drivetrain and run via the Andretti Formula E group as BMW’s works entry within this series.
While electric motors may seem odd when it comes to racing, much like public roads, electric vehicles (EV) seem to be the wave of the racing and driving future.

When it first began in 2014, Formula E was almost thought to be a joke by racing insiders and fans; however, it has jumped in popularity with a number of support system from global auto manufacturers who are taking their budgets from older racing forms to hitch onto the electric car bandwagon.

The company has stated a major factor behind BMW’s raised involvement, as they also support the MS Amlin Andretti entry within its series right now, was due to innovative technology when it came to the electromobility field. This Formula E initiative has been touted as the ideal development laboratory when it comes to electric powertrain technology production, offer valuable motivation as it relates to BMW iNEXT development, as well as BMW imodels that offer electric drive.

Autofile reports that when BMW joins the pack in Season 5, the public will be introduced to a new vehicle, constructed by Spark Racing Technology. The vehicles shape was defined and inspired by FIA, the motorsport’s governing body, with a goal of having an eye-pleasing and futuristic design to it.

It will also have a new standard battery within, which McLaren Applied Technology producing it. The battery will offer twice the range that it provides currently, which means no more two cars needed for each driver or a mid-race change of vehicles.

Formula E, currently in its third season, held its final series races in New York City this past July 14th to the 16th, with the last one taking place in Montreal at the end of July