The genesis of the Virgin-builds-EVs story is based on Virgin’s think-different, think-outside-the-box interests. Once it got into Formula E, hints were dropped, and amplified perhaps to the point where signal and noise match up, that Branson might consider building passenger EVs. At the Miami Grand Prix Formula E race, Bloomberg TV popped the passenger-cars question. Branson’s response: “We have teams of people working on electric cars,” Branson said. “So you never know—you may find Virgin competing with Tesla in the car business as we do in the space business. We will see what happens.” If it’s not a yes, it’s not a no.Virgin and Richard Branson may enter the electric vehicle business, Branson hints. The Virgin name is already on airplanes, spaceships, and cruise ships, as well as music and health clubs. The company also competes in the Formula E racing series for electric-only vehicles. Recently Branson said “you never know” when asked about the odds of Virgin’s entry into EV passenger cars.
Why Virgin might do it: keeping up with the Musks of the world?
Nobody admits to doing it for ego. But Virgin and Tesla are both chaired by outspoken chairmen who embody their companies, just as the companies embody Richard Branson and Elon Musk. Even today, starting your own car company is more exclusive than doing a software startup, or owning a Tesla car.
The biggest part of an electric vehicle is the drivetrain: the batteries, electric motors, inverter, and control software. Virgin already has experience with drivetrains through Formula E. If Virgin got into the car business, there’s still the significant matter of setting up a factory or contract factory, and automakers as big as BMW subcontract out some work. There’s also the issue of meeting safety and emissions requirements that differ from country to country. But it’s not impossible at all.
How Formula E advances the art of passenger car EVs
Formula E is a part of the Formula 1 racing organization, typically held in conjunction with a major combustion-engine race. Formula E cars are open-wheel, open-cockpit single passenger cars that look roughly like Formula 1 or Indy cars. With fresh batteries, they do 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) in 3 seconds and top out at 225 kph (140 mph). The races run 45 minutes, and the batteries are good for 20 to 30 minutes, so range anxiety is a big issue at the track. Rather then refuel, drivers hop into a second car to finish the race. Currently, 10 teams compete with two race cars each.
Branson got a first-person lesson on battery life and range issues at the Long Beach Formula E race. Just before the vehicle change point, the top Virgin driver took the lead with an aggressive pass that used up virtually all the remaining charge. With Branson watching, the Virgin car had to relinquish the lead, limp back to the pits, swap cars, and never regained the lead.
Formula E is a tightly controlled series: one racing chassis, one tire specification, and one battery pack, for instance. For the inaugural 2014-15 season, there was also a single drivetrain supplier. For 2015-16, which begins in the fall, individual manufactures will be able to build their own electric motor, inverter, gearbox, and cooling systems.
Since Tesla knows a lot about batteries, electric motors, inverters and control electronics already, the thinking is, it could enter the series and stand a solid chance to be competitive — especially since someone else supplies the chassis. According to Alejandro Agag, the chairman of Formula E, Musk wants to focus on road cars, fearing race tech would be too much of a distraction. But Agag also says the rules change allowing each team to develop its own drivetrain technology might hook Tesla.
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