Formula E & Google Cloud Regenerate 2kWh on Mountain Descent
A groundbreaking display of cloud innovation, data analytics and regenerative technology has positioned Formula E's GENBETA project as a future-facing sustainable mobility and performance model.
In a bold feat that continues the redefining of electric vehicle innovation, Formula E, in partnership with Google Cloud and key GENBETA collaborators, delivered a technical demonstration that captivated both motorsport and enterprise audiences.
The initiative, Mountain Recharge, saw a GENBETA prototype car descend 1,000 vertical metres down a treacherous alpine road in free-wheel modeârelying entirely on regenerative braking to power a full lap of the iconic Circuit de Monaco.
Shot by Red Bull Media House and engineered through a strategic partnership between Formula E and Google Cloud, the project illustrated what's possible when advanced cloud infrastructure meets precision engineering and sustainability-focused design.
An unpowered descent, a fully powered lap
Test driver James Rossiter, former Maserati MSG Racing team principal, undertook the drive from the summit of Col de Braus with only enough charge to boot up the GENBETA race car's systems. From there, gravity and regenerative braking alone harvested the energy required to complete a 3.337-kilometre lap of Monaco's most famous race circuit.
The mission's success showcases the car's extraordinary regenerative capacityârecuperating up to 600 kW of energy in race mode (250 kW front / 350 kW rear). In Formula E races, drivers must regenerate at least 40% of their required energy to complete each event, making these vehicles some of the most efficient machines in global motorsport.
Alex Aidan, VP of Marketing at Formula E, stated, "This isn't just another attention-grabbing racing story.
"It's a case study in how high-efficiency regeneration and cloud-based AI can transform how we think about mobility, energy optimisation and sustainability."
Google Cloud: a strategic technology partner
The Mountain Recharge initiative was brought to life by integrating several Google Cloud technologies, showcasing how cloud computing, AI and data analytics can transform not just motorsportâbut wider industrial applications, including telecommunications, logistics and energy.
Key integrations included:
- Google AI Studio & Gemini API: Enabled Formula E to analyse real-time speed-to-weight ratios, braking angles and gravitational impact to optimise energy capture.
- BigQuery: Google's serverless platform gathered and processed telemetry data during the descent, enabling engineers to validate and optimise performance.
- Firebase: Powered a custom dashboard application, giving real-time visibility of car data via Pixel devices and Chromebooks.
- NotebookLM: Google's AI-powered writing and research assistant supported collaboration by consolidating all technical and planning documentation in one place.
Guillaume Roques, Senior Director of EMEA Marketing at Google Cloud, commented:
"Google Cloud thrives on helping partners solve unique challenges with data and AI. The 'Mountain Recharge' project is a fantastic demonstration of how AI can tackle complex, real-world challenges. This isn't just about race cars, it's about turning data into actionable insights across industries."
More than motorsport: broader industry implications
While the context may be motorsport, the technology's real-world applications extend into multiple sectors. Regenerative braking and predictive AI modelling aren't limited to race tracksâthey offer practical benefits for telecoms infrastructure, smart city logistics and energy grid management.
Partners like ABBârenowned for delivering high-efficiency power and automation technologyâare embedding the same principles seen in GENBETA into broader industrial ecosystems. Whether supporting 5G-powered smart grids or developing low-latency remote management tools, the regenerative potential is vast.
"It's about developing technology designed to handle everyday circumstances and engineered to outrun.
"The way our partnership with Google Cloud has evolved—and our long-standing relationship with ABB—proves how global brands can bring products and narratives to life through impactful collaboration."
Engineering sustainability into the data-driven future
At the core of Mountain Recharge lies a transformative insight: that intelligent energy recovery, coupled with AI-powered decision-making, can significantly improve the performance, resilience and efficiency of technology systems—on the road or across a distributed network.
The learnings from GENBETA provide a compelling analogy for telecom operators managing the energy-intensive demands of fibre rollouts, edge computing, or base station power optimisation. When data, cloud architecture, and sustainability intersect, the results redefine what's possible—not just in racing but across every connected industry.
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