e-Movement declares intention to host Formula E in Cape Town.

PHOTO CREDIT: e-Movement/Jaguar Racing.

The Cape Town Formula E Bid Company, e-Movement has today confirmed its intention and plans to host an ABB Formula E race using a street circuit in the heart of Cape Town.

Last year the City of Cape Town announced that they had been approached by a Cape Town Consortium to host a Formula E championship event in the Mother City. A feasibility study was soon launched following the announcement. 

Momentum soon gathered when Iain Banner, Chairman of e-Movement announced at an FIA World Rallycross Championship press conference that they "will" the ABB FIA Formula E championship to Cape Town. 

PHOTO CREDIT: Audi Sport.

The ABB Formula E championship has grown from strength-to-strength since it's inaugural round in Beijing in 2014, and to date, the championship has seen some of the biggest manufacturers, namely: Jaguar, Porsche, Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Mahindra, etc. signing up. 

While Formula E entered its sixth season this year (2019/20), the championship will gain world championship status from the 2020–21 season.

Iain Banner, Chairman of e-Movement, confirmed that positive progress has been made following the feasibility study. “The objective of the study was to assess the suitability of Cape Town as a possible venue for a round of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship in future seasons," he said. 

"Three possible circuit layouts have been identified and we are now in the process of exploring these possibilities with the City of Cape Town and other interested parties."

“As a starting point, the preliminary track layout and how it fits into the existing fabric of the precinct – as well as the future development proposals around the identified track – were all key factors in assessing the City of Cape Town’s suitability.

“The primary objective was to design a suitable circuit layout that will have minimum impact on the City, require minimum construction work, cause minimum disruption to general public and traffic, and, crucially, leave a lasting legacy”.

Banner added that the proposed event will simultaneously anchor a renewable energy week, comprising a major conference and exhibition in an industry which is poised for rapid growth over the next decade.

JP Smith, Cape Town's Mayco Member has welcomed a positive outcome of the feasibility study. 

"The event is so much more than an E-Prix - it provides an opportunity to position the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape region as the pioneering renewable energy hub of South Africa," Smith said.

"The event would not only showcase the natural beauty of our City but such an event places Cape Town at the forefront of alternative and green energy initiatives, and serves as a catalyst for attracting investment and the creation of employment in a sector for which major growth is projected in the foreseeable future".

In addition, e-Movement has announced that they secured the backing of Jaguar South Africa as Founding Partner for the initial stages of the project in Cape Town, as a potential Formula E candidate host city.

“Partnering with e-Movement to bring this premier motorsport event to South Africa, will assist in showcasing the tangible efforts Jaguar has made in infrastructure and carrying the momentum of all Electric Vehicles on a local level," said Lisa Mallett, Marketing Director: Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and Sub-Sahara Africa.

"We look forward to introducing South Africans to our Panasonic Jaguar Racing Team and reaffirming that racing is in our blood - even when powered by electricity. We wish the entire project, including the broader alternative and green energy activities associated with this event and the simultaneous Energy Week proposed by the Bid Company, success."

Written By: Junaid Samodien