Exploring the Tech Behind Formula E’s Gen4 Revolution

Jaguar TCS Racing recently welcomed an esteemed guest to its technical headquarters in Kidlington, UK – Prince William, no less. 

Keen to learn about sustainable mobility, the Prince of Wales sat in a development car and jokingly commented, "there's not a lot of room in the legs, is there?"

The 6ft 3in heir may have struggled with legroom, but the vehicle represents a transition point. It is identical to the team's current model and acts as a bridge to next season's car.

Antonio Felix da Costa, the 2020 ABB FIA Formula E World Champion, joined Prince William during the visit. Antonio explained what it is like to race the car and highlighted several high-tech features.

The current Gen3 Evo machinery will race in Berlin later this May. However, attention has already turned to the next iteration.

Gen4 car enters Formula E

Formula E will introduce its new Gen4 race car next season. Teams and manufacturers will develop and race the model during the 2026/27 season of the Formula E World Championship.

According to Formula E, the Gen4 will be the fastest car in the Championship's history, exceeding 200 mph with a 1.8-second zero to 60 mph launch.

The Gen4 will be 10 seconds faster than the current Gen3 car in qualifying mode on average, likely meaning a substantial performance increase compared to the previous generation.

The new car features altered dimensions to manage this power. It has a 5,540mm by 1,800mm footprint and a 600kW peak output – a 71% increase on the previous generations. The car's length extends beyond five metres and the long tail functions like an arrow's shaft.

This design keeps the car stable during the acceleration phases that 600kW provides, with the extra length accommodating a larger 55kWh battery and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system without compromising the car's thin width.

The new dual-tyre strategy features wider dimensions to handle the power. The front tyres measure 295mm and the rear tyres measure 330mm.

The longer wheelbase and wider tyres could show improved stability at higher speeds, but the full impact will only become clear during racing conditions.

Zero-waste construction methods

Formula E aims to make the Gen4 the world's most sustainable race car. According to the organisation, it will be made from 100% reusable and more than 20% recycled content.

The chassis is 100% recyclable and the bodywork contains at least 20% recycled carbon fibre and bio-based composites.

The powertrain recovers nearly 50% of its energy through 700kW regeneration. This, combined with ethical sourcing, creates what Formula E describes as an entirely zero-waste vehicle.

This sustainability-focused approach could mean high-performance motorsport can operate without waste, although this remains dependent on the full lifecycle of the vehicle and its components.

Testing reveals driver feedback

Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E, calls Gen4 "a statement of intent".

He adds: "Seeing what it can do on track for the first time is a real milestone for Formula E. We are now delivering performance levels that were thought impossible for electric vehicles just five years ago.

"The step up in performance is immediately clear, from the speed and power to the way it delivers on track, and there was a genuine buzz among everyone who witnessed it.

"This is a hugely exciting moment for the Championship as we head into the upcoming 2026/27 Season, and a clear signal of where we are headed."

Jeff continues: "This is just the beginning, as its refinement is now in the hands of our manufacturers – Porsche, Jaguar, Stellantis, Nissan, Lola Cars and Mahindra – to push development to even higher limits of performance ahead of its racing debut later this year. 

"Gen4 isn’t just an evolution, it’s a step-change in innovation and performance that will redefine motorsport for years to come."

Drivers respond to new machinery

Lucas Di Grassi, who competes for Lola Yamaha ABT, notes the car "feels futuristic".

He says: "There are a lot of changes, I would say the main one is the tyres. In 600kW you feel a lot of acceleration, so the acceleration it's very impressive."

Jake Dennis of Andretti describes it as "a new exciting generation", adding: "The car is the biggest step Formula E have ever made. It's an absolute beast, it's super quick, looks incredible, and I think it's going to be a real eye-opener for everyone."

Asked what fans can expect, he says: "Exciting racing. I think that's something which is the bread and butter of Formula E. It's exciting and action-packed racing and that's one thing which we won't lose for the GEN4 era."

Gen4 will debut in competition later this year. Its performance in race conditions will determine whether the design goals translate to on-track results.