Jaguar uses Formula E strategies to improve road-going EV performance

Jaguar shared that it is using strategies learned from Formula E to improve the performance of the brand’s road-going electric vehicles (EV).

Mitch Evans and Sam Bird, Jaguar TCS Racing drivers, expertly judge lap after lap where the optimal braking point is for a corner, but just as importantly the best place to lift off the accelerator, enabling them to maximize regeneration and not waste energy using friction brakes.

Software learnings from the process helped in the development of the Predictive Energy Optimization (PEO) function for the Jaguar F-PACE P400e and E-PACE P300e PHEV models. Entering a destination into the Pivi Pro infotainment system’s navigation gives the PEO an overview of one's journey (out to a maximum of 650 kilometers), which it splits into 100-meter segments for analysis.

Jaguar’s PEO function makes an informed decision on how to best use the powertrain at each stage: prioritizing the electric motor in urban areas to deliver zero tailpipe emissions driving, or the efficient Ingenium gasoline engine on motorways.

The system also ensures that vehicle has at least six kilometers of EV range in reserve, ready to be used in the final stage of one's  journey, and  arriving at the destination silently and with zero tailpipe emissions.

In addition, the Eco Coach feature — found in the Jaguar XE, XF, E-PACE, and F-PACE MHEVs — uses intelligent algorithms to help customers develop a smoother, more efficient driving style. It reads the road ahead and prompts the driver when to lift his or her foot to maximize the benefits of regenerative braking.

“The difference between winning and losing can be down to less than one percentage point of energy consumption per lap — every marginal gain we can make to efficiency makes a difference… The techniques we use and the invaluable knowledge we’ve built up has helped to make the Predictive Energy Optimization technology in Jaguar’s plug-in hybrids so effective and enables customers to get the most from their state-of-the-art powertrains. The same applies to the Eco Coach technology in Jaguar’s mild hybrids, helping drivers to save fuel and reduce emissions,” said Jaguar TCS Racing Principal James Barclay.

“Both are great examples of our ‘Race to Innovate’ philosophy and how we are bringing our learnings from highly competitive world championship motorsport to our customers,” he added.

Photos from Jaguar

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