Formula E, the electric world championship returns to Rome

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The countdown has already begun. On Saturday 13 April, a year from its debut, the great spectacle of the ABB FIA Formula E world championship is returning to the streets of Rome. The 22 electric single seaters will race at 280 kmph on the roads of the Eur district in the seventh grand prix of the season. The event will be followed live by 35,000 spectators in the circuit area, plus a further 35 million television viewers in 90 countries.

Setting off at 4 p.m. local time from Via Cristoforo Colombo, the racing cars will fly along the 2.8 km route, circling the obelisk named for Guglielmo Marconi, cutting through the Parco del Ninfeo, racing past the “Colosseo Quadrato” (the so-called “Square Colosseum”) and the Fuksas-designed Nuvola. This futuristic conference centre will host the E-Village where Enel, as the Official Power Partner of Formula E, and Enel X as Official Smart Charging Partner, will be acting hosts.

“I am very proud to be here today and to announce the details of Formula E’s return to Rome, an event that has become part of the cultural and sporting fabric of this city,” said Alejandro Agag, President and Founder of Formula E, at the Grand Prix’s presentation. “In just one year, we have taken significant steps forward in terms of technological innovation and content quality for the public, aiming to give spectators a day of pure entertainment, speed and sport.”

The most significant addition to this season’s world championship is the innovative charging technology, which was fine-tuned by Enel X. This allows the electric single seaters to finish the entire race without having to stop to change cars, as in previous editions. This technological leap is made possible by the latest generation batteries, which are charged by our JuicePump 80 Formula E Edition superchargers. Thanks to their 80 kW capacity and weight of less than 200kg, they can easily be transported from one circuit to the next.

Enel X has also set up an entertaining and informative stand. This can be visited free of charge on 12 April, or on the race day itself with the purchase of an E-Prix ticket.  Visitors will be able to see a new generation (Gen 2) Formula E car up-close and, while having fun, find out just how easy it is to use our innovative charging infrastructures. An interactive model will demonstrate how the Juice range of charging stations works. With an Augmented Reality helmet, it will be possible to move inside as if in a real city and, through playing around, learn how to use the charging columns being installed across Italy by Enel X. And that’s not all: there will be two Enel X charging zones in the village where cell phones can be charged, while relaxing on X shaped benches. A track with Enel X-branded, remote-controlled electric cars, charged by Juice Box, will be set up in one of these zones.

This year, the Formula E initiatives will start in Rome on Monday 8 April, with two days of celebrations in Viale Europa dedicated to the residents of the Eur district. Then, on Friday 12, from noon onwards, the Formula E area will be accessible, free of charge, to allow all residents to experience the thrill of the preparations at close quarters and to take part in various activities, including the Gen2 free practice, the track tests of the new Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy championship, competitions of Paralympic disciplines, entertainment in the E-Village and a free concert. Another new addition this year is the E-Parade which allows anyone showing up in an eco-sustainable vehicle to experience the thrill of driving on the race track.

Only a few more days left to go. The Eternal City will once again be the setting for a show that is different from all others. A combination of speed, sustainability and beauty which, thanks to Enel, will make 13 April a special day.