Yamaha Motor and Lola Cars Extend Technical Partnership Beyond 2027 to Pioneer Next-Generation Electric Racing Technologies in Formula E
Yamaha Motor has announced that it will continue its strategic technical partnership with UK-based Lola Cars Ltd well beyond the 2027 season. This extended alliance focuses on advancing high-performance electric powertrains for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship—the world’s premier all-electric, single-seater racing series.
This renewed commitment marks a pivotal moment for both organizations as they prepare for the dawn of Formula E’s fourth-generation (GEN4) era, set to begin in Season 13 (2026–2027). With technical regulations evolving to demand even greater power and regenerative efficiency, Yamaha and Lola aim to remain at the forefront of electric racing innovation, using the championship as a real-world laboratory for cutting-edge development.
From GEN3EVO to GEN4: A Partnership Poised for the Future
The foundation of this collaboration was laid in March 2024, when Yamaha signed a technical partnership agreement with Lola to co-develop electric powertrain systems for GEN3EVO cars. Lola, a storied name in motorsport engineering, had re-entered the racing landscape as a supplier of advanced vehicle packages in Formula E, aligning with its mission to promote sustainability and electrification in motorsports.
The partnership saw the launch of the Lola Yamaha ABT Formula E Team, which began competing in Season 11 (2024–2025) alongside German racing organization ABT Sportsline. The team fields race cars powered by co-developed electric propulsion units—combining Yamaha’s powertrain engineering expertise with Lola’s heritage in racecar chassis design and systems integration.
This three-way collaboration between Yamaha, Lola, and ABT represents a significant step for Yamaha as it deepens its involvement in electrified motorsports and accelerates its technology development under competitive conditions. The joint effort provides an ideal platform to test, validate, and refine new electric vehicle technologies in one of the most challenging and high-profile racing environments in the world.
The Challenge of GEN4: Higher Power, Greater Efficiency
Formula E’s GEN4 era will raise the bar for teams and technology suppliers alike. Under the new regulations, cars will see a substantial increase in maximum power output, climbing from current levels to 600 kW. At the same time, regenerative braking capability will be boosted to 700 kW, demanding sophisticated energy recovery systems and robust control electronics.
These performance targets underscore the central challenge facing GEN4 development: achieving dramatic gains in energy efficiency without sacrificing speed, reliability, or drivability. The high-intensity demands of racing place enormous stress on powertrain components, particularly under the rigorous constraints of street circuit racing. For Yamaha and Lola, GEN4 represents both a technical crucible and a critical opportunity to push the boundaries of electric propulsion technologies.
As such, the continuation of their technical partnership beyond 2027 signals a long-term commitment to innovation. Yamaha aims to use this endeavor not just to compete at the highest level of electric motorsports, but also to strengthen its in-house capabilities across a broad spectrum of electric technologies—including energy management, thermal regulation, power density optimization, and integrated software controls.
Yamaha’s Broader Electrification Strategy
The Formula E program plays an integral role in Yamaha Motor’s broader electrification roadmap and environmental goals. As part of its corporate sustainability agenda, Yamaha has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire value chain—classified as Scope 3 emissions—by 2050. These emissions include indirect contributions such as those generated during customer use of Yamaha products.
To meet this goal, Yamaha is investing in a new generation of technologies that prioritize energy efficiency, lower environmental impact, and enhanced electrification. One of the company’s key R&D pillars under its “Technology Vision” is the development of advanced Energy Management systems. These technologies are central not only to Yamaha’s motorsports efforts but also to future product platforms across motorcycles, scooters, marine engines, mobility devices, and industrial equipment.
Participation in Formula E allows Yamaha to accelerate the maturity of these technologies in a real-world, high-performance setting. Racing environments push materials, software, and components to their absolute limits—helping Yamaha to develop innovations that can later be adapted for commercial and consumer applications. Learnings from race data, telemetry, and simulation feedback loops are used to fine-tune system efficiency, battery control logic, and thermal management strategies that are relevant far beyond the track.
Lola’s Resurgence and Sustainability Mission
For Lola Cars Ltd, the collaboration with Yamaha reflects a powerful return to top-tier motorsport after years of dormancy. Once a dominant name in international motorsports with experience spanning IndyCar, Le Mans, and Formula 1, Lola is now reshaping its identity around sustainability and the future of electric racing.
As an approved supplier of chassis packages for Formula E GEN3EVO machines starting in Season 11, Lola has reinvigorated its engineering operations with a focus on modular, scalable, and sustainable racing technology. The partnership with Yamaha allows Lola to combine its legendary design philosophy with next-generation electric propulsion systems, creating a synergistic relationship built on complementary strengths.
Together, Yamaha and Lola are working to advance electric vehicle architecture by integrating lightweight materials, regenerative technologies, and modular platforms—all while maintaining strict compliance with the technical frameworks established by Formula E’s governing bodies.
A Multi-Year Vision of Electric Racing
With the GEN4 regulations already shaping the development landscape, Yamaha and Lola’s decision to extend their partnership beyond 2027 offers continuity and stability as the sport undergoes its next evolutionary phase. It also sends a clear message that both organizations are committed to long-term leadership in electric motorsports—not just as competitors, but as technology pioneers.
This partnership provides both companies with a shared vision: to make Formula E not only a showcase for thrilling competition but also a proving ground for the most advanced electric vehicle technologies in the world. The lessons learned from the track—about energy optimization, real-time data analysis, and system durability—will influence how future electric products are designed, built, and refined.
Racing Toward a Smarter, Greener Future
The extended technical alliance between Yamaha Motor and Lola Cars stands as a testament to the transformative power of motorsports in shaping the future of mobility. By combining Yamaha’s deep-rooted engineering expertise with Lola’s racing pedigree, the partnership is poised to push electric performance to new heights under the GEN4 regulations and beyond.
As the world shifts toward sustainable transportation and reduced carbon emissions, this collaboration exemplifies how high-stakes racing can drive breakthroughs that benefit society at large. Whether on the track or in future consumer vehicles, the innovations born from this partnership will play a key role in realizing a smarter, more electrified future—one powered by speed, precision, and purpose.
