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As an “EV head” (21st century “gearhead”), I begrudging admit that F1 cars are currently faster than Formula E. FE is quickly closing the gap, and I can’t wait for the day that FE crushes F1 performance.
Although it doesn’t begin to rival Formula 1, electric vehicle racing has been steadily growing a fan base over the last decade. Two championships are chasing the same thrill through different means. Formula 1 delivers the highest peak speed, downforce, spectacle, and deafening roar while Formula E delivers unmatched efficiency, instant acceleration, and city center access that invites new fans. The time gap on a single lap remains sizable today, yet Formula E has been steadily closing it. With both series set for major resets in 2026, the next chapter could bring the closest comparison yet, which is a win for technology, for competition, and for fans who love fast, smart racing.
As with many events running in the background, Formula E has a very healthy engagement on social media. Here’s one of many interesting Reddit threads about Formula E:
pawnfight posted:
“Are there efforts to make Formula E cars faster, perhaps eventually reaching the speeds of F1? Has there been an upward trend of top speed/acceleration across the previous generations of car?”
zantkiller answered with:
“Yes. Formula E Gen 4 will have an increase of power in both race and qualification mode. In Qualifying mode, the power increase from Gen 3 will be from the current 470hp to around 800hp. In Race mode, the power increase from Gen 3 will be from the current 400hp to around 600hp.
They are also hoping to manage an increased level of grip in their tyres in comparison to previous seasons.”
Southern_Spirit_5681 made it real with this post:
“It takes a real dummy to compare the two. Who gives a shit? That’s not why I watch FE.”
Formula 1 and Formula E
Formula 1, or “F1”, is the pinnacle of automobile racing. Teams build their own cars according to strict, international regulations called the “formula.” An F1 season consists of a series of races hosted by different countries around the world. The races are also called “Grand Prix.” Drivers compete for points to win the World Championship. Formula 1 is governed by FIA, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, or in English, the International Automobile Federation. It is the governing body for many international motorsport championships and disciplines, including Formula One.
FIA has two single seater World Championships, Formula 1 and Formula E, each carrying its own identity and mission. Formula 1 sits as the top of world motorsport, while Formula E stands at the peak of electric racing. Comparisons are natural because both series showcase elite teams, advanced technology, and world class drivers, yet they pursue performance through very different pathways.
Comparing History and Culture
Formula 1 brings 75 seasons of history, international prestige, and brand power. Formula E is younger with 11 seasons and a growing fan base that values urban access and sustainability. Both series attract top manufacturers that take what the learn on the track and convert into their street legal offering. Driver rosters are stacked, from Formula 1 stars like Max Verstappen, and Lewis Hamilton to Formula E standouts that include former Formula 1 racers such as Stoffel Vandoorne, Pascal Wehrlein, and Nyck de Vries.
Powertrains and Tires
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The largest technical difference between F1 and FE is the powertrain. Formula E runs full battery electric powertrains that deliver instant torque and high reliability. Formula 1 uses hybrid internal combustion engines that remain astonishingly complex and powerful. Tire philosophy also diverges. Formula 1 uses purpose-built slicks and wet compounds that unlock maximum grip for each condition, while Formula E uses a single grooved all weather tire that trades peak grip for versatility and durability.
Formula E chose a single, grooved all-weather tire to serve its core goals of sustainability, and simple logistics. The all-weather approach cuts freight and storage emissions because there is less rubber to produce and ship. Formula E’s own reporting ties reduced tire allocation to meaningful CO₂ savings across seasons, and standard Hankook tires are built with a high share of sustainable or recycled content and a life-cycle focus, then fully recycled after use.
F1 Versus Formula E Performance
Top speed still favors Formula 1 at roughly 230 miles per hour, while current Formula E cars reach about 200 miles per hour. Like their street legal counterparts, acceleration from 0 to 60 is a much different story. The third generation Formula E car reaches 60 MPH in about 1.82 seconds compared to roughly 2.6 seconds for a modern Formula 1 car. Efficiency is the showcase for electric racing, since Formula E powertrains operate at over 95 percent efficiency, while Formula 1 hybrid systems sit a little over 50 percent. Total power tilts back to Formula 1 at around 1,000 brake horsepower versus about 470 for Formula E, yet instantaneous electric response helps Formula E extract strong launch performance with less peak output.
Lap Times
At the end of the day, it all comes down to lap times. That is where power, torque, downforce, and all of the other physical matters come to be judged. Track environments play a big factor. Formula E grew up on street circuits, then began adding permanent venues as speeds climbed. With one exception, there are no direct lap time comparisons, which is why Monaco matters. Across recent seasons, Formula E pole laps on the full Grand Prix layout trail Formula 1 by roughly 17 to 21 seconds. The time gap is due mainly to horsepower and tire grip, since Formula 1 cars carry greater downforce and run specialized slick compounds, while Formula E relies on harder, grooved Hankook tires that must work across varied conditions.
Evolution and Generational Next Steps
Formula E’s development curve has been impressive. Gen 1 needed a mid-race car swap and topped out near 140 miles per hour. Gen 2 pushed to about 174 miles per hour and eliminated the need for a swap. The current car is Gen3 Evo which sits between Gen 3 and the yet to be announced Gen 4. Gen 3 Evo adds selective all-wheel drive deployment and improved drivability. Softer tire updates have already trimmed lap times by several seconds at early season rounds, which signals that usable grip is rising without abandoning efficiency.
Here’s What We Can Expect in 2026 and Beyond
Change is coming for both F1 and FE. Formula 1 will introduce new power unit rules, new chassis concepts, and revised aerodynamics in 2026, which could reduce outright speed while aiming for better racing. Formula E expects to debut Gen 4 in late 2026 with a target of about 800 brake horsepower, permanent all-wheel drive, and active aerodynamics. This all creates a credible conversation about performance convergence as the next era begins.
The Porsche Taycan
Porsche is one of the manufacturers that participates in Formula E, and the Taycan is Porsche’s electric road car. Like the Ferrari 360 Modena, Honda NSX, and Maserati MC20 that came before it, the Porsche Taycan benefited from developments on the track. Porsche has been explicit about the link. They use their Formula E car, the 99X Electric, as a development platform for future production EVs, then feeds lessons into Taycan hardware and software.
Please Drop Your Thoughts in the Comments Below
If both series raced at Monaco on the same weekend, which qualifying session would you choose to watch live, and why?
Which series would you choose for a live race experience, city street event or traditional circuit venue?
Chris Johnston is the author of SAE’s comprehensive book on electric vehicles, “The Arrival of The Electric Car.” His coverage on Torque News focuses on electric vehicles. Chris has decades of product management experience in telematics, mobile computing, and wireless communications. Chris has a B.S. in electrical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA. He lives in Seattle. When not working, Chris enjoys restoring classic wooden boats, open water swimming, cycling and flying (as a private pilot). You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn and follow his work on X at ChrisJohnstonEV.
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Source: torquenews.com
