2 weeks ago
Formula E eager to return to India, needs host city
Formula E is a car racing championship where the cars run on electricity.
It wants to race in India again, but it is waiting for an Indian city to invite it.
The championship first raced in India in Hyderabad in February 2023.
That race was very popular, but it was cancelled in 2024.
A new state government in Telangana decided not to keep an agreement made by the older government.
The people in charge of Formula E say they are ready to come back.
They are already talking to more than 80 cities around the world, but no Indian city has asked yet.
They say India is very important because it is building a big market for electric cars.
They also say a race would bring money and jobs to a city.
Now they are hoping an Indian city will say, 'we want you back'.
Formula E co-founder Alberto Longo said the series would 'absolutely love' to return to India but has no live conversations and is waiting for an Indian city to make the first move.
Formula E made its India debut at the Hyderabad E-Prix in February 2023, but the race was cancelled in January 2024 after the new Telangana government declined to fulfil the Host City Agreement signed by the previous administration.
Promoter Greenko also withdrew as the multi-year arrangement got complicated.
CEO Jeff Dodds said he is 'very, very optimistic' India could return to the calendar in coming seasons, citing Indian partners including Mahindra, Infosys and Tata.
Formula E is currently in discussions with more than 80 cities worldwide, none of them Indian, while Longo cited typical economic impact of 80-100 million euros per race and about 2,000-2,500 local jobs from the Hyderabad event's preparation.
- Who
- Alberto Longo, co-founder of Formula E, and CEO Jeff Dodds, with the Telangana government in India as a key counterpart.
- What
- Formula E officials say the championship wants to return to India and is waiting for an Indian city to show the willingness to host a race.
- Where
- London, at the season finale, with reference to Hyderabad, India, where the debut race was held.
- When
- The comments were made during the London season finale in August; the Hyderabad E-Prix debut was in February 2023 and the race was cancelled in January 2024.
- Why
- India is considered a priority market with enormous electric vehicle potential, but the earlier race was dropped after the new Telangana government declined to fulfil the Host City Agreement.
Return of Formula E to India
Host-city caution on event agreements
Willingness to host
Return of Formula E to India
Formula E officials say they are ready and willing to return, describing India as a priority market with enormous EV potential and the Hyderabad debut a 'massive success' in attendance.
Host-city caution on event agreements
No Indian city or authority has approached Formula E, and Telangana's new administration declined to fulfil the Host City Agreement signed by the previous government.
Value of hosting a race
Return of Formula E to India
Studies across host cities show typical economic impact of 80-100 million euros, and the Hyderabad event employed around 2,000-2,500 people locally during its month-long preparation.
Host-city caution on event agreements
The Telangana government raised questions over the approvals and financial procedures followed in entering into the Host City Agreement, indicating governance concerns.
Key facts
- Series
- Formula E World Championship
- India debut
- Hyderabad E-Prix, February 2023
- Cancellation
- January 2024
- Reason for cancellation
- Telangana government declined to fulfil the Host City Agreement
- CEO
- Jeff Dodds
- Estimated economic impact
- 80-100 million euros per race
- Hyderabad event employment
- About 2,000-2,500 local jobs during preparation
- Indian partners
- Mahindra, Infosys, Tata (TCS Jaguar)
Quotes
Alberto Longo
Co‑founder of Formula E, expressing intent to return to India
“There needs to be a will to host a Formula E event. Trust me, we are really ready to come back to India. We are discussing with more than 80 cities worldwide today simultaneously. Unfortunately, we don’t have anyone from India knocking at our door, and that is what needs to change, the willingness of the Indian cities to host a Formula E event.”
theprint.in
deccanchronicle.com
“We have a number of very, very high profile Indian partners. Obviously Mahindra up there, Infosys is a big partner of ours, Tata obviously own the Jaguar racing team, Tata and TCS Jaguar. So we have a number of very important Indian partners.”
theprint.in
Sources
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