What is Pit Boost?

The so-called Pit Boost describes fast-charging pit stops in Formula E. After several postponements, the technology formerly known as "Attack Charge" is expected to be introduced during the 2024/25 Formula E season. This means that Formula E will be introducing pit stops during races again for the first time since its first generation of cars (2014-2018). Back then, the whole car was swapped. During the mandatory fast-charging pit stops, the batteries of the electric racing cars will be recharged at 600 kW.

Once announced for the start of the Gen3 era (January 2023), Formula E with its fast-charging technology had to suffer a few setbacks. Its introduction has been postponed several times and is finally be used in racing for the first time in the 2024/25 season - apparently always on one race day of each "double header" in season 11. The premiere will take place at the Jeddah E-Prix on 14/15 February 2025.

Initially, Formula E had planned to use the fast-charging process, then still called "Attack Charge", to activate the Attack Mode. However, it is now clear that the two features will work independently of each other. During the pre-season test in Madrid in 2024, Formula E used the new term "Pit Boost" for the first time.

For the Pit Boost, a cable is plugged into the rear of the car to recharge ten per cent of the energy in about 30 seconds. This extra power can be used for longer race distances or faster lap times. The standardised fast chargers from the British company Fortescue (formerly Williams Advanced Engineering) charge at a peak power 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.