Formula E Electric Racers to Test Qualcomm Wireless Charging

The FIA's new Formula E racing series for electric cars has signed Qualcomm Inc. to a five-year sponsorship that includes the company's Halo wireless charging technology.

The series, which will begin in London in September 2014, will hold 10 races on city streets around the world. The single-seat electric racers weigh 1,700 lbs, accelerate from zero to 60 in about three seconds and run about 25 minutes per charge. Drivers will switch cars midway through each race.

Qualcomm also will provide car-to-pit telemetry services during the races. The company aims to supply access to some of the data to fans so they can monitor the competitors around the circuit.

U.K.-based Drayson Racing Technologies LLP is already testing the Halo system under a sponsorship agreement signed with Qualcomm in January. The companies are developing a 20-kW version of the inductive charging technology for use with Drayson's B12/69EV Formula E prototype.

The Halo system will be used only to charge the Formula E safety vehicle during the series' first year, according to Qualcomm. The San Diego-based company says the technology will be available to the race teams in the second year of competition.

Initial applications would use the system to charge stationary vehicles. Eventually, Halo pads could be built into the track surface itself to provide on-the-go charging for the race cars.