Formula E partners with Swiss technology giant to ‘write the future’

The rush to be a part of the all-electric street racing series that’s “writing the future” goes on.

Just four years into its development, Formula E has announced a “groundbreaking” multi-year partnership with Swiss industrial technology giant ABB.

The annual motorsport series will be renamed the “ABB FIA Formula E Championship” – the first time an FIA-sanctioned single-seater championship has had a title sponsor.

As the third E-Prix of 2017/18 approaches in Marrakesh, Morocco, Formula E chief executive Alejandro Agag called it “an historic day” for the series he founded in 2014.

“This is probably the biggest announcement that Formula E has made ever,” Agag told CNN Sport during an announcement at the Saatchi Gallery in London Tuesday.

“We share the same goals. ABB is a company that is focusing on new technologies that are going to transform mobility in the world, and that’s what we want to do.”

“Our two companies are synonymous with pushing the boundaries of what is possible,” he added in a statement.

“Together, as partners, we will showcase breakthrough technology on a global scale.”

READ: Daniel Abt stripped of maiden Formula E win

Ulrich Spiesshofer, chief executive of ABB, is excited at the possibility of shaping the future of transport.

“Today, two pioneers are uniting,” said Spiesshofer, telling CNN Sport his company are the “world market leader” for charging electric cars.

“ABB and Formula E are a natural fit at the forefront of the latest electrification and digital technologies.

“Together, we will write the next phase of this exciting sports activity and foster high-performance teams. Together, we will write the future – one electrifying race at a time.”

Will Formula E ever outgrow its more illustrious cousin Formula One? Have your say on CNN Sport’s Facebook page

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Updated 11:45 AM EST, Tue January 9, 2018

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Electric future

Numerous manufacturing giants – including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche and Jaguar – have announced plans to participate in the series in recent years, showing electric racing’s increasing “relevance to the motor industry,” according to Agag.

ABB, which claims to annually dedicate $1.5 billion to fund “research and development activities,” gives Formula E further scope to grow.

ELEXTRA —

Boasting a 0-60 mph acceleration of 2.3 seconds, the ELEXTRA supercar will rank alongside the fastest electric vehicles in the world.

ELEXTRA —

The Swiss-designed concept car will have a range of 600 kilometers (372 miles) and a top speed limited to 250 kph (155 mph) according to its creators, Classic Factory.

ELEXTRA —

Classic Factory specialize in automotive and industrial design. CEO Robert Palm says a production car will cost around $500,000 (before tax) but won't be available before 2019.

"The idea behind ELEXTRA is to combine pure lines reminding of the most exciting Italian super cars of the past, whilst being resolutely forward looking thanks to its low, sleek and beautiful design, paired with today's most advanced technology," Palm says.

The all-electric NIO EP9 is the fastest road-legal car ever to take to the Nürburgring.

Boasting a top speed of 194mph (313kph) and 1-megawatt of power (equivalent to 1342 BHP), the NIO EP9 may just be the fastest electric car on the planet.

Dendrobium —

The Dendrobium 'hypercar' made its debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show in March.

Dendrobium —

The all-electric car has been created by Singapore-based Vanda Electrics with technological input from UK-based Williams Advanced Engineering.

Dendrobium —

Williams Advanced Engineering is a technological division of the Williams Group which is most famous for its Formula One team. Co-founded by Frank Williams in 1977, the team, now run by Williams' daughter, Claire, has won nine constructors' titles during four decades in F1.

Williams Advanced Engineering also provide the batteries that power Formula E cars. You can watch a CNN interview with Williams Advanced Engineering's operations manager Gary Ekerold here: Powering a Formula E race.

Dendrobium —

The Dendrobium boasts a top speed in excess of 200 mph and a 0-60 mph acceration of 2.7 seconds, according to Vanda Electrics.

Faraday Future's FF91 —

Back In January, California-based Faraday Future revealed its new FF91 model at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Faraday Future's FF91 —

CNN's Supercharged show was given a tour of the all-electric car by its chief designer Richard Kim and an exclusive peak at the interior.

Watch: Inside the FF91

Faraday Future's FF91 —

The FF91 is billed as the fastest electric production car in the world, going from 0-60 mph in 2.39 seconds, marginally quicker than the Tesla S which clocks 2.5 seconds in the same test.

READ: FF91 blends speed, luxury and connectivity

Faraday Future FFZero1 Concept —

Faraday Future has investing heavily in electric cars. The striking FFZERO1 Concept car was shown off at the CES in Las Vegas in January 2016, and in October the company's team lined up on the grid for the start of the 2016-17 Formula E world championship.

Tesla has received more than 350,000 pre-orders for its new Model 3 and expects to start delivering the $35,000 car to customers in 2017.

Rimac Concept One —

Croatia-based Rimac Motors has announced that it's Concept One 'hypercar' will be getting an upgrade in 2018.

Rimac Concept One —

The upgrade, announced at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, will see the cars power increase by 100 kilowatts to 900 kilowatts, the company said in a statement.

Rimac Concept One —

Upgrades will enable the refined Concept One to reach 200 kph (124 mph) in six seconds, according to Rimac.

Rimac Concept One —

As well as visiting the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the team behind the car will be heading to New York, Shanghai and Goodwood's Festival of Speed in the UK.

Rimac Concept S —

The Concept S is essentially a GT version of the Concept One, featuring a big front splitter, air deflectors, side skirts, diffuser and a large rear spoiler. Rimac has no plans to make a new model in 2017 but will be looking to break world records.

"The goal in the upcoming year is to break some records to show Concept One is the fastest production car ever -- not just the fastest electric car but the fastest among all other gas-powered cars," Rimac's COO Monika Mikac told CNN.

NextEV NIO EP9 —

The Chinese electric car maker and Formula E team set a new electric car lap record at the Nurburgring with its NIO EP9 hypercar in November and is set to launch a mass market car in 2017. The EV will take some of its design cues from the NIO EP9, the company says, but it will only be available in China initially.

NextEV NIO EP9 —

The NIO EP9 produces an impressive 1,340 horsepower and goes from 0-60 mph in just 2.7 seconds. On a full charge the car has a range of 265 miles (426 kilometers).

Techrules GT96 —

Another supercar set to be unveiled at Geneva in March is the Techrules GT96 crafted by Italian auto designers Fabrizio and Giorgetto Giugiaro.

Techrules GT96 —

The sleek chassis is complemented by a patent-protected "TREV system" -- a hybrid powertrain technology with a built-in turbine generator -- which will create electricity in addition to the power stored in the batteries, the company says.

Fisker EMotion —

Henrik Fisker has created some of modern motoring's most desirable cars, including the Aston Martin DB9 and V8 Vantage. The Fisker EMotion is an all-electric sports sedan which will boast a 400-mile (640-km) range, the company says.

Fisker EMotion —

The EMotion will feature a new electric power train layout with battery technology, constructed using graphene. The California-based automaker plans to unveil the car in mid-2017.

Dubuc Tomahawk —

San Diego-based Dubuc Motors is another small company with big electric dreams in 2017. The Tomahawk will boast a 300-mile (480-km) range and an impressive 0-60 mph time of three seconds.

Dubuc Tomahawk —

Dubuc is set to launch a crowdfunding campaign in early 2017 after self-financing the project for the last decade. With the help of investors, the company hopes to fine-tune the design, with the aim of unveiling the Tomahawk at November's Los Angeles Auto Show.

The electric supercars lighting up 2017

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“The tremendous level of excitement surrounding this new FIA discipline is tangible,” said FIA president Jean Todt, calling the collaboration “proof of the attractiveness” of a championship still very much in its infancy.

“The mobilization of major economic powers around the pillars of this discipline – new technologies, electric mobility and sustainable development – is a very good sign, and something to be excited about.”

Massa ‘super welcome’ in Formula E

With a new name signed up off the track, Agag was coy when asked if the sport is any closer to recruiting new drivers on it.

A year after calling time on his long and storied Formula One career, veteran driver Felipe Massa is returning to the track in Formula E. The Brazilian is set to join Formula E team Venturi in the all-electric series for the 2018/19 season.

Having spent his formative years racing karts in his native Brazil, Massa got his big break in Formula One with Swiss-based Team Sauber, making his debut in the 2002 Australian Grand Prix and taking his first F1 points just one race later in Malaysia.

Switching to Ferrari in 2006, Massa replaced Honda-bound compatriot Rubens Barrichello and enjoyed his maiden podium with a third-place finish at the European Grand Prix. He followed that up with second places in the United States and Germany, partnering the legendary Michael Schumacher in the German's last ever championship campaign in the iconic red.

And that elusive first Formula 1 victory came soon after, as Massa took the plaudits in Turkey after his maiden pole position. Ferrari retained the Brazilian after a series of other impressive performances.

He would go on to enjoy his most successful period on the track with Ferarri, as the Brazilian clocked up 11 race wins and 36 podiums. Just a single point separated Massa from the championship in 2008 as he pushed McLaren's Lewis Hamilton (right) all the way.

But the Brazilian was victim of a terrible accident in the summer of 2009, careering off the circuit in qualifying for the Hungary Grand Prix at 200kph (125mph) after being struck on the head by a loose spring from the car of Brawn GP driver Barrichello. Massa suffered a fractured skull and spent several days in a medically-induced coma.

Massa valiantly returned to the track in 2010 alongside new teammate Fernando Alonso, and podium finishes in both Bahrain and Australia suggested he was ready to put the trauma of his accident behind him.

However, as the season developed, Alonso increasingly looked the more consistent performer -- culminating in Massa infamously being forced to move aside for his teammate at the 2010 German Grand Prix.

Speculation Massa would lose his drive with Ferrari was quelled with impressive performances in the back-end of 2012, but the following season a number of accidents -- including two in Monaco -- slowed any building momentum for the Brazilian.

And Massa was eventually replaced by Kimi Raikkonen in 2014, prompting the Brazilian to make the switch to Williams. Despite a less competitive car, he has continued to perform well -- scoring a number of further podiums and finishing sixth in the standings.

In pictures: Felipe Massa's distinguished F1 career

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Brazilian legend Felipe Massa, in particular, presents an exciting possibility for fans, having retired from Formula One at the end of the 2016 season.

But Agag stressed the veteran of 242 grand prix races would require assurances he’d be competitive, should he make the move to all-electric racing.

“Of course, Felipe would be super welcome in Formula E,” said Agag. “I know Felipe, I’ve been talking to him a lot … if he comes to Formula E, he wants to be in a competitive team.

Visit CNN.com/motorsport for more Formula E news and features

“Felipe is a driver who wants to win and I totally understand that. So we will help him, if we can, to get a really competitive drive.”

The Marrakech E-Prix takes place on January 13, following the form of the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan before spilling out onto the streets.