Google Cloud AI Helps Formula E in Groundbreaking 'Mountain ...
May 03, 2025, 08:00 ET - In a daring demonstration enabled by Google Cloud's AI capabilities, Formula E successfully charged its GENBETA prototype race car using only regenerative braking during a 1,000-vertical-meter mountain descent – generating enough energy to complete a full lap of the iconic Circuit de Monaco. Leveraging the Gemini API via Google AI Studio, Formula E planned the optimal "Mountain Recharge" route down a French alpine pass, analyzing data in real time to maximize energy recuperation.
Energy Efficiency of Formula E Vehicles
The groundbreaking "Mountain Recharge" project, undertaken in collaboration with Google Cloud, Formula E's Official Cloud Technology Services Partner and Official Cloud Security Partner, highlights the significant energy efficiency of Formula E vehicles. During races, the competing cars must regenerate approximately 40% of their required energy through braking.
The challenge involved the GENBETA car descending the Col de Braus mountain road in "free-wheel mode", starting with only minimal energy for system power-up. Driven by Formula E Test Driver James Rossiter, the car successfully generated the 1.6 to 2.0 kWh needed for the 3.337 km Monaco lap solely through gravity and optimized braking – equivalent to fully charging nearly 60 Google Pixel 9 Pro XL devices. The feat was filmed and produced by Red Bull Media House.
Utilization of Google Cloud Technologies
To determine the feasibility and plan the execution of the "Mountain Recharge" Formula E utilized several Google Cloud technologies:
Alex Aidan, VP Marketing, Formula E said: "This isn't just another attention grabbing racing story - it's a case study in how high-efficiency regeneration and cloud-based AI can revolutionise how we think about mobility, energy optimisation and sustainability. The challenge we faced illustrates the kind of real-world problems Google Cloud's technology and that of our wider partner group can solve – whether it's regenerative braking for road cars, dynamic route planning for delivery fleets, or efficient energy management in smart cities. It's about developing technology that is designed to handle everyday circumstances and engineered to outrun."
Guillaume Roques, Senior Director, EMEA Marketing, Google Cloud said: "Google Cloud thrives on helping partners solve unique challenges with data and AI, and the 'Mountain Recharge' project is a fantastic demonstration of how AI can tackle complex, real-world challenges. Using our technologies, we were able to model the intricate physics of the descent and precisely calculate the regeneration potential. This isn't just about race cars; it's about how our AI capabilities can help any organization optimize for efficiency and sustainability by turning data into actionable insights."
Supporting Partners
The GENBETA project and the 'Mountain Recharge' were also supported by GENBETA partners ABB, Hankook, and SABIC.
For more information you can watch the video here and read more in our blog post here.
About Formula E and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship
As the world's first all-electric FIA World Championship and the only sport certified net zero carbon since inception, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship brings dramatic racing to the heart of some of the world's most iconic cities providing an elite motorsport platform for the world's leading automotive manufacturers to accelerate electric vehicle innovation. The Formula E network of teams, manufacturers, partners, broadcasters, and host cities are united by a passion for the sport and belief in its potential to accelerate sustainable human progress and create a better future for people and planet. www.FIAFormulaE.com
About ABB
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance while becoming more efficient, productive, and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this 'Engineered to Outrun'. The company has over 140 years of history and more than 105,000 employees worldwide. ABB's shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com
About Google Cloud
Google Cloud is the new way to the cloud, providing AI, infrastructure, developer, data, security, and collaboration tools built for today and tomorrow. Google Cloud offers a powerful, fully integrated, and optimized AI stack with its planet-scale infrastructure, custom-built chips, generative AI models, and development platform, as well as AI-powered applications, to help organizations transform. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner.
