Sustainability and Motorsport: An Examination of Formula E.

Abstract

The FIA Formula E Championship started in 2014 and is the world’s first fully electric international motor racing series. This study used a quantitative and qualitative survey, distributed at Oulton Park, Donington Park and through relevant social media outlets, to assess what type of supporter Formula E (FE) attracts, whether they think FE can implement their sustainability and Electric Vehicle (EV) expansion aims, and assessing whether external factors influence attitudes towards FE and its sustainability.

This study demonstrates that most of the sample FE supporters engage with other motorsport disciplines and cannot be treated as an isolated group. The study found that independent variables such as respondent age, nationality, level of sustainability concern and intensity of FE support can impact the sample population attitudes towards EVs, FE and sustainability.

Despite an overall positive and optimistic attitude, a large proportion of the sample population was not convinced by FE’s sustainability and EV expansion aims, often citing underdeveloped technology, high EV purchase prices and charging infrastructure issues as reasons. However, the majority of the sample population did agree that if FE could develop EV technology their opinions towards EVs would improve. These findings imply that FE has the potential to increase EV development and market expansion by improving the technical aspects and public image associated with EVs.