From the Asphalt to Awareness: Formula E’s Journey in Electrifying Middle Eastern Mobility
The oil-rich landscape of the Middle East is on the cusp of a transition towards electrification and sustainable mobility. Formula E is a single-seater electric racing series set to traverse eleven locations around the world next season, one of those locations being in the Middle East’s Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. Their aim? To showcase the potential of electric vehicles, bridging the excitement of racing with a vigorous commitment to sustainability and innovation. With every turn of the wheel, they’re driving home a powerful message: the future of mobility lies in electrification, where speed meets eco-consciousness and excitement marries responsibility. And although Dubai might not be on the cards to host a Formula E event just yet, the ripples of their impact stretch far beyond the asphalt in Diriyah.
Unlike other racing series, Formula E is unique in that all of the races are hosted in the hearts of cities, on the very same streets, and close to its fans to entice audiences to go electric. CEO of Formula E, Jeff Dodds, said, “We see ourselves very much as a platform to educate around electrification, so our focus is to increase the pace of migration away from combustion engine to electrification.”
Julia Pallé, the VP of Sustainability for Formula E, said, “One of the main reason why we decided to have Formula E races in the heart of cities is that not only they concentrate CO2 emissions, but it also concentrates air pollution and it has a direct impact on everyone’s health. Roughly 80% of the population globally is not breathing air, air that is like a quality level that is recommended by WHO [World Health Organization.]”
In the landscape of misconceptions about electric vehicles, the idea of limited range often stands out—a concern that EVs might leave drivers stranded mid-journey. Pallé said, “I think we are at a pivotal moment because really Formula E is getting to a level of sophistication in the battery electric vehicle technology that is probably unseen now.” In the early days of Formula E, drivers would switch between cars in a single race due to limited battery capacity. Now the Gen3 cars can complete a whole race, and Formula E’s innovations transcend the track; manufacturers leverage these learnings to enhance their road cars. “Part of our obligation is to bust the myths,” said Dodds. “Look at these cars racing—200-mile-an-hour cars, 100km in 2 point-something seconds—they're state-of-the-art vehicles, and they are racing for nearly an hour at absolute top speeds. So if they can do that, you driving a couple hundred miles to go and see a friend or a family member shouldn’t be something to worry about.” Apart from the thrill of racing, these developments dispel misconceptions about the real-world performance of EVs by focusing on their practical possibilities.
Aside from Formula E, another racing series called Extreme E also promotes the use of electric vehicles. It was launched in 2021, however, unlike Formula E, Extreme E is an off-road electric SUV series that races in places impacted by climate change. In December, the series announced its shift to a new technology. “Extreme E is at the start of a very exciting journey…they’re gonna be transitioning fully to hydrogen, which is the other most promising renewable energy and technology that is going to be used in transport,” said Pallé. “It will be fully hydrogen in 2025.” According to Statista, the vehicle market in the UAE is dominated by SUVs. This push by Extreme E will expedite the process of getting these technologies onto the road. “Extreme E is a technological laboratory for all manufacturers involved to learn and be able to be able to develop the next generation of vehicles SUV-wise that will be transitioning.”
Accelerating this shift to electrification requires more than technological innovation; it requires legislation and government support. The global focus on this shift has been aided by substantial discussions within the MENA region at COP28. “Any time you’re trying to shift behaviour for consumers or for citizens of nations, you want to shift behaviour faster... often governments do things like taxation, vehicle taxation, as a way of encouraging people to migrate into newer technologies,” said Dodds.
With new policies enacted, technologies developed, and a surge in societal awareness, the landscape of sustainability is experiencing a remarkable evolution. This transformation isn’t just confined to the expertise of professionals; it extends to the eager minds of individuals seeking to comprehend and contribute. “Everywhere you turn at this COP, there are schoolchildren in school groups, visiting the different exhibitions and different panel discussions,” said Dodds. “To have that level of interest for that age group, who fundamentally are going to have to implement a lot of these changes, I think that’s been really inspiring to me.”
In essence, the convergence of electrification, sustainable mobility, and enthusiastic participation signals a new chapter—a chapter where technology, policy, and societal engagement are interwoven into the fabric of a more sustainable future. Formula E and Extreme E’s efforts, coupled with the collective will of nations and the eagerness of younger generations, symbolise a promising trajectory towards a greener, more sustainable world. The ripple effects of these initiatives extend far beyond the racetrack, resonating with communities worldwide and fostering a consciousness that will continue to shape the future of mobility and sustainability for generations to come.
