Formula E signs up DHL

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Motor sport’s new electric car world championship has signed up Qualcomm and DHL as sponsors ahead of the launch on Tuesday of the vehicle the teams will use when the series gets under way next year.

Qualcomm has signed a multiyear deal to become technology partner of Formula E, which will be raced in 10 major cities. The US technology group is understood to have spurned approaches from two F1 teams to become a partner in order to team up with Formula E.

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DHL, which also sponsors Formula 1 and Manchester United, will be the logistics partner of the electric car series.

Spark Racing Technology, constructors of the 42 cars being produced for the first season, will unveil the vehicle at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The Italian company Dallara is producing the monocoque chassis and Michelin is supplying the tyres. Others involved in its creation include the technology arms of F1 teams McLaren and Williams.

The electric car series plans to use Qualcomm’s technology to charge the racing cars wirelessly, though not until the second season.