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Formula E is pretty interesting. All the races are on YouTube. It’s enjoyable, and the races have some interesting gimmicks that electric cars can give you. Fi

Formula E is pretty interesting. All the races are on YouTube. It’s enjoyable, and the races have some interesting gimmicks that electric cars can give you. First, the race is n minutes + 2 laps instead of a set distance. Functionally, it’s not really any different from a regular distance race, since you have to be on the lead lap to win. The other gimmick is that video game speed boosts are a thing. You can drive through areas to have your motor run at a higher output for a limited time. I do like the aesthetics for the new cars, and the battery technology has improved from the earliest version where the drivers had to change cars in the middle of the race because the batteries were too weak.

BrandoElFollito 5y ago
I've never heard of such races until a few days ago when I was in Monaco. The city was getting ready for the race and they were heavily promoting the electric part (especially in a large meeting center that was expected to hist all things electric). I will gladly have a look at the YouTube recordings of the races as I am wondering whether they are basically silent compared to their fuel-based counterparts. The silence factor of a car is really something. I recently got a hybrid car (self-recharging version) and I love the sound of the first meters, solely electric. My next car will be a 100% electric one for sure.
- unethical_ban 5y ago
  Off-topic: What is Monaco like? Is it fun? Is English somewhat common there? And finally, is it affordable for a middle class couple?
  - BrandoElFollito 5y ago
    Monaco is good for a one day visit, at best. Of course this depends on your preferences, I like middle-sized, rather open cities such as Versailles. Monaco is very cramped with lots of buildings and roads that are not easy to cross. There are nice parks, though - but everything seems really cramped. The prices are outrageous, but this is the case in many places in the south of France. You do not live in Monaco comfortably with a middle-class income. France is a marvelous country, with beautiful places and climates - there are really better places to choose from.
- jonathankoren 5y ago
  They sound like RC cars. I do agree about liking my electric cars silent. I recently saw some electric cars advertising “performance sounds”, which I thought was dumb as hell. There’s even a startup to add these sounds to your electric car [0]. I find this even dumber than the Jaguar roadster I test drove that had what as effectively a “louder” button. It shot fuel directly into the exhaust to make the engine louder while simultaneously increasing your emissions and decreasing your fuel economy. Somehow this was a selling point, I guess for people with severe self esteem issues. [0] https://www.thedrive.com/news/42734/this-startup-will-give-your-silent-ev-v8-noises https://www.thedrive.com/news/42734/this-startup-will-give-y...
  - BrandoElFollito 5y ago
    I agree with the "self esteem" part :) The only reason I can imagine a EV being more noisy is for very slow sppeds which are usually in areas with pedestrians. It may be a good idea to gently warn them that a car is nearby (though I do not have a strong opinion on that one - a bike is silent after all)

BrandoElFollito 5y ago

I've never heard of such races until a few days ago when I was in Monaco. The city was getting ready for the race and they were heavily promoting the electric part (especially in a large meeting center that was expected to hist all things electric). I will gladly have a look at the YouTube recordings of the races as I am wondering whether they are basically silent compared to their fuel-based counterparts. The silence factor of a car is really something. I recently got a hybrid car (self-recharging version) and I love the sound of the first meters, solely electric. My next car will be a 100% electric one for sure.

unethical_ban 5y ago
Off-topic: What is Monaco like? Is it fun? Is English somewhat common there? And finally, is it affordable for a middle class couple?
- BrandoElFollito 5y ago
  Monaco is good for a one day visit, at best. Of course this depends on your preferences, I like middle-sized, rather open cities such as Versailles. Monaco is very cramped with lots of buildings and roads that are not easy to cross. There are nice parks, though - but everything seems really cramped. The prices are outrageous, but this is the case in many places in the south of France. You do not live in Monaco comfortably with a middle-class income. France is a marvelous country, with beautiful places and climates - there are really better places to choose from.
jonathankoren 5y ago
They sound like RC cars. I do agree about liking my electric cars silent. I recently saw some electric cars advertising “performance sounds”, which I thought was dumb as hell. There’s even a startup to add these sounds to your electric car [0]. I find this even dumber than the Jaguar roadster I test drove that had what as effectively a “louder” button. It shot fuel directly into the exhaust to make the engine louder while simultaneously increasing your emissions and decreasing your fuel economy. Somehow this was a selling point, I guess for people with severe self esteem issues. [0] https://www.thedrive.com/news/42734/this-startup-will-give-your-silent-ev-v8-noises https://www.thedrive.com/news/42734/this-startup-will-give-y...
- BrandoElFollito 5y ago
  I agree with the "self esteem" part :) The only reason I can imagine a EV being more noisy is for very slow sppeds which are usually in areas with pedestrians. It may be a good idea to gently warn them that a car is nearby (though I do not have a strong opinion on that one - a bike is silent after all)