Paper short abstract:

The transition to electric mobility can be further understood by examining the role of electric racing leagues in facilitating technological and cultural development around EVs. FIA's Formula E and Extreme E present themselves as technological testbeds for EV technology and climate change awareness.

Paper long abstract:

The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is being conceptualized as one of the three revolutions in automobility (Jaller et al. 2020). While national-level and consumer-level research has been conducted, the literature has neglected to consider the role of racing in both technological and cultural automotive developments. Numerous innovations in today's street cars were first tested on race tracks, and racing has been a brand-building exercise for automotive manufacturers for over a century. Automotive racing has a long history as an exclusive and masculinized sphere, whereas early electric vehicles were marketed to women as cleaner, quieter, and easier to operate, thus more suited to Victorian femininity (Ivory & Genus 2010; Scharff 1991). Environmentalism and eco-friendly behaviors have also been constructed as feminine, thus the emergence of environmentally-conscious racing leagues represents an interesting merging of two historically differently-gendered domains (Brough et al. 2016). In order to understand the full potential of the transition to EVs, it is crucial to study the large institutions actively trying to shape both the EVs' materiality and sociality. Formula E and Extreme E, both sanctioned by the largest motorsport governing body in the world, emerged with the goals of raising awareness about the changing climate, implementing public outreach and legacy programs in their racing locations, and creating a culture and commercial enterprise around the EV. The future envisioned by these racing leagues is not only worthy of exploration, but will form a critical part of the renegotiation of our practices of mobility.