Racing towards reduced emissions with the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is bringing electrifying action to the storied streets of Monaco this weekend.

Steeped in motorsport tradition, the famous circuit is the ideal setting for the all-electric series, with previous races featuring thrilling battles and overtakes galore over the 19-turn, 3.3km track.

Fabien Laleuf, General Manager at ABB France, said: “ABB’s portfolio of products, software and expertise are driving the transition to sustainable transportation throughout the Côte d'Azur and France as a whole. It’s great to have such an exciting showcase of the capabilities of e-mobility on our doorstep, giving the opportunity to highlight technology which is driving progress in sustainability throughout the transportation sector.”

ABB is supporting Renault Group by providing state-of-the-art robotics technology to help automate the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer’s production network across several key markets. ABB’s robotic automation solutions will enable increased capacity at Renault Group’s advanced e-motor assembly lines in Cléon and Douai, France.

Within the public transportation sector in France, ABB is implementing a range of technology solutions to help meet sustainability goals. In the Côte d'Azur, where a large number of electric buses have been introduced, ABB has supplied around 150 Terra DC monoblock chargers for overnight charging and installed 15 pantographs at the terminals, allowing for quick charging in just 5 to 6 minutes..

Together with Transdev, ABB has also equipped the bus line connecting Nice, Monaco and Menton with 3 pantographs. This is one of the busiest lines in the region. More than 100 bus journeys are made on this vital route each day, serving an average of two million passengers every year.

In addition to improving public transportation sustainability through electrification, ABB is also introducing technology solutions within the hydrogen sector. The company has signed an agreement with Hynamics, the hydrogen subsidiary of EDF group, to integrate the ABB Ability™ OPTIMAX® energy management system across Hynamics’ plants. This will help optimize electrical costs of hydrogen production by up to 16 percent, according to ABB modelling.[1]

Elsewhere in the transport sector, ABB’s shore connection technology is being used in the Port of Marseille, where three Corsica Linea ferries will cut emissions and noise pollution by using electricity for power at berth instead of running diesel-fueled auxiliary engines. In Toulon, which handles 1.6 million ferry and cruise passengers every year, ABB has led a consortium providing shore-to-ship power connection for ferries and cruise ships. This technology will eliminate more than 80 percent of pollutant emissions.[2]

More information on ABB’s sustainability-related technology in France can be found on our Race For the Energy Transition web pages.

Following the race in Monaco, the Championship returns to Berlin for two races on May 11th and 12th. The season calendar comprises 16 races in 10 global locations, including new venues of Tokyo, Misano and Shanghai.

ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered and operated. Building on more than 140 years of excellence, ABB’s ~105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation.  www.abb.com

About Formula E and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship:

As the world’s first all-electric FIA World Championship and the only sport certified net zero carbon since inception, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship brings dramatic racing to the heart of some of the world’s most iconic cities providing an elite motorsport platform for the world’s leading automotive manufacturers to accelerate electric vehicle innovation.

The Formula E network of teams, manufacturers, partners, broadcasters, and host cities are united by a passion for the sport and belief in its potential to accelerate sustainable human progress and create a better future for people and planet. www.FIAFormulaE.com

[1] 16% saving has been calculated by ABB Corporate Research Center in 2022 and is based upon an optimized versus an unoptimized operation of a hydrogen plant. The results showed an estimated reduction of >14% in electricity costs and >2% in electrical consumption. Thus the lower boundary of OPTIMAX reduction of electrical cost is up to 16%.

*Images courtesy of Hynamics

[2] https://france.representation.ec.europa.eu/projects/escales-zero-fumee-lutter-contre-pollution-de-lair-des-bateaux-de-croisiere_fr?prefLang=en&etrans=en