Formula E is poised for an influx of manufacturers for its second season, with series founder Alejandro Agag expecting “a number from six to eight” to sign up.
Agag also revealed that they will bring a diversification of electric powertrains to the series.
The all-electric single-seater series is three races into its first season of competition with all cars running identical powertrains built by McLaren, with batteries from Williams – overarched by technical partner Renault.
But season two will feature a more open concept to spark a technology competition between teams.
“There was an application process by the FIA for future manufacturers for this championship,” revealed Agag to AUTOSPORT.
“That finished on October 31, and 12 applications were presented.
“They are a mix of car manufacturers and others are technology companies – which is a really different option for us, so ones that produce batteries, electric motors or even a full powertrain – and we will find out who has been successful in the next week.
“The selected manufacturers could be in a number from anything from six to eight.
“We will then have meetings to clearly define their roadmap of the technology level of the championship.
“It’s very important to develop a five-year roadmap to define the clear direction that this championship is going to go.
“We need to decide what areas can be developed and what can not – but the focus must remain on the electric powertrain.”
Although the final decision will rest with the FIA as the series’ regulator, Agag wants to keep the current Spark chassis for “a number of years” to focus on developments of the powertrains, especially in terms of their economy and range.
“The good news is that we will have quite a number of different powertrains next year; we will have some big names delivering those,” he added.
“We have a great idea of the direction that we’re going to go, and we’ll of course work closely with the FIA on the regulations and with the selected manufacturers.
“We will have the competition that we’ve always wanted to have that will improve the technology.”
