BMW to enter Formula E in 2018

German car-maker BMW has been a part of the Formula E since its second season. The company, until now, only provided support vehicles for the series, but now for the season five of the all-electric race series, the company is going full swing.

BMW has announced that it will develop a fully electric powertrain for Formula E’s Andretti team for the 2018-19 season. The company was officially granted manufacturer status for Formula E in March 2017. With this partnership, BMW will lock horns with it arch rival - Audi, on Formula E front too. Audi had recently confirmed its takeover of Abt Schaeffler for the very same season.  

BMW will use the Formula E racetrack to develop the new electric technology. The company also hopes that this new technology will eventually make its way to its ‘i’ series of electric passenger cars in some form or other.

"Through our involvement in Formula E, we are addressing the development towards sustainable and emission-free mobility in the automobile industry and are also making a contribution to the brand's progression to BMW iNext," said a BMW official.

Andretti’s team owner Michael Andretti is extremely pleased with this partnership. He said, “We are excited to expand our partnership with BMW and serve as BMW’s official Formula E works team beginning in season five. BMW is leading the automotive future with the BMW i line and their innovation in electric car technology. I couldn’t pick a more prestigious or historic manufacturer to work with in Formula E.”