# A 6,072-cell battery at -10 degrees - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/04/a-6072-cell-battery-at-10-degrees/ - Published: 2019-04-07T13:39:16-04:00 - Author: greenlivingguy Wednesday, 27 March 2019 |Source: SEAT [Electric touring car racecar CUPRA puts the e-Racer to the test in extreme conditions on the ski slopes of Andorra](https://www.thenewsmarket.com/global/latest-news/a-6-072-cell-battery-at--10-degrees/s/dcae6545-0d2e-44bd-bf2f-02a464ae92c3?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=SEAT%20-%20A%206072-cell%20battery%20at%20-10%20degrees&utm_content=SEAT%20-%20A%206072-cell%20battery%20at%20-10%20degrees+CID_891e9694efef29091a5b6d72c67054b3&utm_source=TNM%20email%20alerts) * 20mm higher suspensions and tyres with 420 studs each to drive on snow and ice * Cold weather is the best ally of the electric system as it cools the batteries Martorell, 26/03/2019.–The countdown for the debut of the CUPRA e-Racer, the first 100% [electric racing touring car](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/01/nissan-leaf-nismo-rc-electric-race-car-gone-ces-2019/) in the World. For the new ETCR championship has begun. So the Spanish brand’s race team is working non-stop. All on the development of this electric race. Thereby putting it through a constant series of tests under the most grueling conditions. So this winter, driver Jordi Gené and the team of engineers led by Xavi Serra took the e-Racer. They took it to the limit. On the snow and ice of Andorra’s ski slopes. ### ![Seat electric car drive on snow and ice](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/18114A95-8FF7-47C1-9DDD-C0F104BADF52.jpeg?resize=150%2C150&quality=52&ssl=1 "18114A95-8FF7-47C1-9DDD-C0F104BADF52 - The Green Living Guy") #### What was the challenge like to adapt the car to low temperatures? J.G.: It was actually quite easy. The key to electric cars is [temperature management](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/10/jaguar-i-pace-sets-ev-record-lap-time-at-weathertech-raceway-laguna-seca/). We demand a lot of power from the engine, but the batteries run hot, not the motor. As we were working in very cold conditions, the low temperature had more than enough of a cooling effect on the batteries. X.S.: One of the biggest challenges is how to manage recharging times, as the e- Racer is equipped with a 450 kilo battery that is equivalent to 9,000 mobile phones all connected at the same time. Its energy source consists in a total of 23 panels, each with 264 cells. When the batteries discharge you have to wait until they cool down before [recharging](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/03/ecotalitys-minit-charger-unveils-revolutionary-minit-charger/) them efficiently. Thanks to the cold, the process is much quicker. #### What modifications were made to the e-Racer to adapt it to these conditions? X.S.: The [CUPRA](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/05/cupra-lighthouse-goes-solar-with-seat-phev/) e-Racer’s natural habitat is the asphalt track, and we had to adapt it to snow. The car needed more ground clearance because the driving surface is so different. In this case, we raised it by 20mm and the result was astonishing. We gathered very interesting information that can be applied to improvements on the car, bearing in mind that it is made for the asphalt. #### Did you notice a difference in tyre grip? J.G.: The difference is enormous and you feel it right away. Besides raising the car, we also had to change the tyres so they had grip on frozen surfaces. We couldn’t use slicks, which are suited to racing on [asphalt](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/benefits-of-recycling-for-demolition-and-construction/). We put about 420 studs on each wheel and the car drove perfectly. What other challenges are involved in driving on snow? X.S.: As the temperature was so low, a lot of snow built up and froze on the undercarriage. The driving surface was 10 cm thick, which was actually ice with a thin layer of snow. Every afternoon, during one of the recharging stops, we had to remove the ice from under the car to lower its weight. It was all part of the preventive maintenance we did. #### How would you describe the car’s performance after this test? X.S.: We’re deeply impressed with how well the car adapted. It was a real high achiever. Although we designed it for the asphalt, we’ve learned that it adapts well to all of the challenges we put it through. It was never developed to drive on snow, but it responded very well. J.G.: This kind of test is very important for the development of the e-Racer. Electrification is moving at breakneck speed. For this project, which we’ve already spent a year on, we’ve adapted a lot of things that we already knew, but we’re finding out many others as we work on the car. The car’s [performance](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/05/hyundai-motor-group-partnering-with-rimac-accelerating-developing-high-performance-electric-cars/) surprised us in a good way, since it was very easy to handle and fun at the same time. Testing systems like the traction control in extreme situations gave us a lot of useful information to continue developing the e-Racer. #### Are you ready for the new race series? X.S. This vehicle generates a lot of energy and we’re working to harness it in the most effective way and obtain the best lap times. The goal is to be the fastest and the first to cross the finish line in 2020, when we compete in the new ETCR race series for the first time. The aim is to demonstrate that the CUPRA e-Racer is a serious player for efficient, clean and environmentally friendly racing. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)