Formula E racing debut fuels China's electric hopes

The Beijing debut of Formula E, the first motor racing series for electric vehicles, provided an eye-catching showcase for alternative technology but analysts say it will take time before green cars start winning in the marketplace.

"It felt like watching a science fiction film when I heard the sound of the cars," an internet user surnamed Xie said on microblog Sina Weibo, referring to the whine of vehicles on the track earlier this month. The racing was "cool" and pointed to a new trend for the car industry, another Weibo user said after the event.

Organised by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), the inaugural race took place at the Olympic Park track earlier this month with 20 drivers competing across 10 teams. Cars made 25 laps on the 3.44km circuit, weaving between two of the capital's most distinctive landmarks - the Water Cube and Bird's Nest.

Alejandro Agag, chief executive of Formula E, said that it was a big achievement to secure the race in Beijing and the key location of the streets around the iconic Bird's Nest stadium. "We can feel that they [Chinese officials] really want to push electric vehicles in the country. We felt very welcomed and had a lot of help from China," he said.

With echoes of Formula One - the FIA's premier event - racers accumulate points from each event on the racing calendar. Malaysia's Putrajaya is the next stop.

However, technology remains the stumbling block for electric vehicles - of racing or road ilk. Batteries used in the racing cars at Formula E last just 25 to 30 minutes, requiring the drivers to change vehicles to get through the race. "It's a big challenge and it's also exciting as there is a lot of room for improvement," Agag said.