IN Brief:
- ABB is showcasing its latest DC-DC converter technology in the GENBETA car at the 2026 Hankook Berlin E-Prix.
- The technology forms part of the BrightLoop product line-up and enables high-voltage and low-voltage systems to operate simultaneously.
- The converter supports an 800Vdc battery architecture while powering 12Vdc or 24Vdc onboard systems.
ABB is showcasing its latest DC-DC converter technology in the GENBETA car as the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns to Berlin for rounds seven and eight of the 2026 season.
The technology forms part of the BrightLoop product line-up and is being demonstrated during the 2026 Hankook Berlin E-Prix at Tempelhof Circuit on 2 and 3 May. The converter allows the GENBETA car’s main high-voltage battery to power onboard electronics at different voltages at the same time, supporting both high-performance traction and lower-voltage auxiliary systems.
The GENBETA car uses an 800Vdc battery architecture and is capable of 0–100km/h acceleration in 1.86 seconds. ABB’s DC-DC converter enables that high-voltage battery system to support 12Vdc or 24Vdc systems, including control electronics, communications equipment, and displays. The arrangement demonstrates the role of power electronics in managing multiple voltage domains inside an electric vehicle platform.
DC-DC conversion is a central function in modern electric mobility. High-voltage battery packs provide the energy required for traction, while the vehicle also needs stable low-voltage supplies for control systems, safety equipment, sensors, communications, lighting, and user interfaces. The converter sits between those electrical domains and determines how efficiently, reliably, and compactly energy is transferred.
Motorsport places severe demands on that architecture. Weight, thermal behaviour, transient response, packaging, electromagnetic compatibility, and reliability all affect system performance. A converter must operate under high load variation while maintaining stable low-voltage supply to control-critical systems. Weakness in the auxiliary power architecture can affect the performance of the wider vehicle even where the main battery and drivetrain remain capable.
The BrightLoop technology base adds an industrial dimension to the demonstration. ABB completed its acquisition of BrightLoop in 2025 to expand its position in advanced power electronics for mining, off-highway, industrial mobility, and marine propulsion markets. BrightLoop’s converter expertise has roots in motorsport and high-performance electric platforms, with industrial applications in sectors where electrification requires compact, efficient, and robust power conversion.
Heavy-duty electric vehicles, marine vessels, construction machinery, mining trucks, and other industrial mobility platforms all need high-density power electronics to manage multiple power flows. These systems may include traction batteries, auxiliary networks, charging interfaces, energy recovery, onboard equipment, and safety-critical controls. The engineering requirement is not only to electrify the main drive system, but to coordinate the full electrical architecture.
Formula E gives ABB a high-load operating environment for converter behaviour under demanding conditions. Racing applications do not directly map onto commercial-duty cycles, but they can accelerate development around efficiency, packaging, control response, and thermal management. Those same issues determine whether electrified industrial platforms can deliver acceptable range, uptime, and serviceability.
Fabiana Cavalcante, Global Head of Mobile e-Power at ABB, said: “ABB’s DC-DC technology is yet another example of our commitment to support Formula E in its quest to lead sustainable motorsport globally. Not only as principal partner to the Championship, but also through technical innovations that power the series, ensuring it remains Engineered to Outrun, creating solutions that translate from the track to real-world applications.”
Dan Cherowbrier, Chief Technology Officer at Formula E, said: “The introduction of ABB’s DC-DC converter technology into the GENBETA car is a significant technical milestone for the Championship. This innovation allows us to optimise the car’s power management by simultaneously running high-voltage powertrains and sensitive onboard electronics at different voltages, directly supporting our ‘race to road’ philosophy. It demonstrates how Formula E continues to push the boundaries of electric vehicle technology in a high-performance environment.”
The Berlin demonstration places power conversion at the centre of the electric mobility discussion. Battery capacity and motor output remain highly visible performance markers, while converters, controls, and voltage management increasingly define how effectively stored energy can be used across the full system.
