New 'Formulino E' ambitions to become support series to FE

A collaboration between Dallara and Belgian constructor Punch Powetrain has resulted in the creation of a full electric 'Formulino E' car.

The new concept was presented today in Geneva at the European Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Congress.

A prototype of the car exists and has been successfully shaken down at Zolder. The project has no official link for now with either Formula E or the FIA but is hoping to become a support series for either Formula E or the new Electric GT category.

Audi Formula E driver Lucas di Grassi is supporting the new venture.

"It’s very good," di Grassi told Motorsport.com.

"To have a school or base car is very important. The best way to prepare [at the moment] is to go through the normal route – F3, F2, maybe DTM.

"As Formula E evolves and progresses it’s natural the drivers will be prepared somewhere else.

"It’s very positive to hear it’s coming so early. It’s a good preparation, like F2 to F1, and it’ll be much cheaper to run and less complex.

"If someone wants to prepare a driver, or a reserve driver wants to keep running, they can get up to speed and gain the knowledge. It’s a very positive move from the constructors."

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The car's cost is estimated at €80,000, according to the chair of the consortium spearheading the project, Belgian Thierry Deflandre.

"We aim to realise 20 cars this year. After that we can scale up production.

"We are in negotiation to initiate the first race already this year and that would be part of our learning curve."

The car's current battery enjoys an autonomy of 15 minutes, which is good for about seven or eight laps at a track such as Zolder while a one-minute battery swapping option is also being evaluated.

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