Opel Joins Formula E Racing With 600 kW Electric Cars

German automaker Opel just announced it's jumping into Formula E racing with electric cars so powerful they'll make current models look like warm-up laps.

The company will compete starting in Season 13 with Gen4 race cars packing 600 kilowatts of power and permanent all-wheel drive. That's the most powerful electric racing technology ever built, and it signals that electric motorsports are entering a whole new era.

Opel is setting up the GSE Formula E Team as a full factory operation in Rüsselsheim, Germany, under Team Principal Jörg Schrott. Unlike previous efforts that relied on partnerships, Opel secured its own manufacturer license, expanding the grid to 12 teams and 24 cars for the first time.

The timing isn't accidental. Opel plans to sell only electric vehicles in Europe by 2028, and racing provides the perfect showcase for their Grand Sport Electric brand. Engineers are already working overtime to master the Gen4 platform before the debut.

The move comes as DS Automobiles exits after 11 successful years that included two championships and 18 race victories. DS is shifting focus to SailGP sailing competition, making room for Opel's fresh approach to electric racing.

Meanwhile, the current season is delivering drama worth watching. At the Madrid E-Prix on March 21, Jaguar dominated with driver Antonio Felix da Costa winning his second straight race. His teammate Mitch Evans charged from 15th place to second, giving Jaguar a commanding one-two finish.

The race also featured the first competitive use of pit boost recharging strategy, offering a glimpse into Formula E's high-tech future. Drivers now must balance speed with strategic charging stops, adding a chess-like element to pure racing skill.

The Ripple Effect

Opel's entry shows how electric vehicle technology is moving from engineering labs straight to the world's most demanding proving ground. When manufacturers compete at Formula E's level, innovations in battery efficiency, power management, and charging speed eventually trickle down to the cars regular drivers purchase.

The Berlin E-Prix in April will serve as Opel's homecoming moment, where the team plans to unveil its Gen4 development strategy at the Paul Ricard circuit. For fans of both racing and electric vehicles, the future just got a lot more exciting.