Saft will provide lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries for the KERS systems for five of the twelve Formula 1 teams competing this season, including Ferrari and Lotus Renault GP.
Saft worked with the F1 teams to develop solutions for each team’s KERS design, based on Saft VL Li-ion cells. Lifetime and durability were key considerations since the batteries are subjected to high levels of heat and vibration.
Our solutions for KERS demonstrate Saft’s ability to deliver leading-edge technology for the most complex and demanding high performance applications, even while working to extremely tight deadlines. We are aiming to establish our Li-ion batteries as the reference for Formula 1.
—Xavier Delacroix, General Manager of Saft’s IBG division
When the F1 car brakes, a proportion of its kinetic energy is captured by an electric motor/generator (MGU) connected mechanically to the engine. This captured kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy which is stored in the Saft Li-ion cells. When extra power is needed, the battery releases the stored energy to the MGU which functions as an electric motor, providing extra power to the drive train.
The KERS system allows up to 60 kW boost (around 80 horsepower), with an energy release up to 400 kJ per lap. The driver can use this additional power to provide an extra seven-second boost of acceleration in each lap.