ABB to unveil DC-DC converter tech in Formula E GENBETA car in Berlin

By AI, Created 11:12 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – ABB will use the 2026 Hankook Berlin E-Prix on May 2-3 to showcase new Brightloop DC-DC converter technology in the GENBETA prototype at Tempelhof Circuit. The demo highlights how Formula E is being used to test electric-vehicle systems that could carry over to road cars and urban mobility.

Why it matters: - ABB is using Formula E to show how power electronics developed for racing can support more efficient electric vehicles outside the track. - The DC-DC converter lets a high-voltage battery run vehicle electronics at lower voltages, a core function in electric power management. - The GENBETA prototype serves as a visible test bed for technologies ABB wants to connect to future urban mobility.

What happened: - ABB will unveil its latest DC-DC converter technology from the Brightloop product line in the GENBETA car at the 2026 Hankook Berlin E-Prix. - The Formula E races are scheduled for rounds seven and eight on May 2 and 3, 2026, at Tempelhof Circuit in Berlin. - ABB is using the Formula E platform to showcase the converter in a live motorsport setting.

The details: - ABB’s DC-DC converter allows the car’s main battery to simultaneously power onboard electronics at different voltages. - The GENBETA prototype uses an 800Vdc battery. - ABB says the setup supports 0-100 km/h performance in 1.86 seconds. - The converter also powers 12Vdc and 24Vdc systems, including control electronics, communications, and displays. - ABB says the power electronics highlight a growing role in energy management and system optimization across vehicle architectures. - ABB describes the GENBETA car as a high-speed living laboratory for engineering work tied to the company’s “Engineered to Outrun” technologies.

Between the lines: - Formula E is positioned not just as a race series, but as a development platform for electric-vehicle technology with real-world applications. - The Berlin demo gives ABB a way to connect branding, engineering, and product validation in one event. - Dan Cherowbrier, chief technology officer at Formula E, said the converter marks a technical milestone for the championship and supports the series’ “race to road” philosophy. - Fabiana Cavalcante, global head of Mobile e-Power at ABB, said the technology reflects ABB’s commitment to support Formula E and translate track-side innovation into real-world solutions.

What’s next: - ABB is expected to continue using Formula E events to refine and present electrification technologies. - The GENBETA program will likely remain a showcase for systems that could influence future electric vehicle designs. - The broader aim is to move more advanced energy systems and power electronics toward more efficient, productive, and sustainable mobility.”}]}