What is Pit Boost?
Francois Asal / Spacesuit Media
The so-called Pit Boost describes fast-charging pit stops in Formula E. After several postponements, the technology formerly known as "Attack Charge" will be introduced during the 2024/25 Formula E season. During the mandatory fast-charging pit stops, the batteries of the electric racing cars will be recharged at a power output of 600 kW.
During the Pit Boost, a cable is plugged into the rear of the car to recharge 10 per cent of the energy (3.85 kWh) in a minimum time of 34 seconds. This is intended to increase the average race speeds of Formula E because it means that the drivers have to recuperate less and can give more full power. It remains to be seen to what extent the Pit Boost will lead to longer race distances.
The standardised fast chargers from the British company Fortescue (formerly Williams Advanced Engineering) charge with a peak output of 600 kW. The charging status is visualised for spectators with flashing LED strips on the race car - the faster they flash, the further along the charging process is. A maximum of two mechanics are allowed to work directly on the car. In addition, there can be a "lollypop man" who stops the car and releases it again.
Each driver has to make a mandatory stop in this way once during the race, whereby a team must/can not bring in both drivers at the same time, as there is only one charger per team. If this fails, there are two spare chargers from the FIA in the pit lane that can be used in this case.
21 days before each race, the FIA announces the "Pit Boost window", which is based on the battery's SOC (Status of Charge) in per cent. For example, the drivers are only allowed to come to the pits with a remaining energy level between 60 and 40 per cent if this is the predetermined window.
Several delays before the first race
Once announced for the start of the Gen3 era (January 2023), Formula E and its fast-charging technology has suffered a number of setbacks. Its introduction has been postponed several times and will finally be used in racing for the first time in the 2024/25 season - always on one race day of the "double headers" in season 11. The premiere will take place at the Jeddah E-Prix on 14 February 2025.
This means that Formula E will be introducing pit stops during races for the first time since its first generation of cars (2014-2018). Back then, the whole car was changed.
During the 2024 pre-season test in Madrid, Formula E used the new term "Pit Boost" for the first time. Initially, Formula E had planned to use the fast-charging process, then still called "Attack Charge", to unlock Attack Mode. However, it is now clear that the two features will work independently of each other.
