Formula E, Complete with Obligatory Crash and a Glycerin Chaser

Dean Sigler Diesel Powerplants, Electric Powerplants, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

Aside from Lucas di Grassi  and Audi  Sport ABT winning the first Formula E race in Beijing, China over the weekend, it would have been almost unremarkable except for the last-lap, last corner collision between Nicolas Prost and Nick Heidfeld.  The spectacular crash was TV news worthy, and despite the initial friction during and after the crash, Prost and Heidfeld both sent mea culpa apologies to each other via social media.  Formula e races, so far, seem fairly civilized affairs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV5Fri0gTX0 35 of the other 40 starters, all essentially alike aside from their team paint jobs, crossed the finish line unscathed and having burned nothing but rubber during their 45 minutes around the 3.44 kilometer (2.13 miles) track.  Even the charger used to “fuel up” the racers burns pollution-free glycerin provided by Aquafuel, a British-based specialist in renewable fuels, according to Formula E Holdings. Aquafuel explains that, “Glycerin is a by-product of biodiesel production.  For every 9 gallons of biodiesel, 1 …