General Motors Seeks Patent for Electric Race Car Drive Modes
General Motors has applied for a patent to introduce drive modes tailored for electric race cars.
These modes would manage the energy in the battery pack differently, allowing drivers to switch between high-performance mode for qualifying and energy-saving mode for the race itself. The application, published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on March 28, was originally filed in 2022.
In the proposed system, a qualifying mode would prioritize maximum power at the expense of running time, while an endurance mode would optimize output for completing more laps at a steady pace. Drivers could select modes using various controls such as steering-wheel paddles, touchscreen interfaces, or dedicated switches, according to GM’s application.
The concept of adjusting power delivery based on race conditions is not entirely new. Formula E, for example, already implements a similar strategy with its Gen3 cars, deploying maximum power only in specific situations such as qualifying sessions and designated power boost zones.
Cars like the Lucid Air Sapphire and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N also offer customizable driving modes tailored for performance and endurance racing.
If GM advances with the concepts outlined in this patent application, it could potentially integrate similar features into future electric performance vehicles, such as the electric Corvette hinted at by GM president Mark Reuss in a 2022 interview.
