<p>The first Formula E car -- part of an upcoming motor racing competition to put electric vehicles on the map -- made its dazzling debut in Las Vegas.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The sleek Spark-Renault SRT-01E, capable of speeds above 225 kilometers (150 miles) per hour, will compete in the first Formula E Championship that begins in Beijing in September, part of 10 races sponsored by the FIA, the global governing body for motor racing.<br /><br />"The Formula E is the future of the automobile, I think this will change the perception of electric vehicles," said Paul Jacobs, chief executive of Qualcomm, one of the corporate sponsors yesterday.<br /><br />Formula E will have 10 teams, each with two drivers.<br /><br />Brazilian driver Lucas di Grassi showed off the vehicle at a parking lot, demonstrating to spectators and media the capabilities of the fully electric machine.<br /><br />"It's a different feeling from anything else," di Grassi told reporters, saying that "you have to be more precise... but it is more efficient."<br /><br />Formula E chief Alejandro Agag said he hopes the championship will stimulate investment in electric vehicles and change their image.<br /><br />"Formula E is a championship with a mission," he said.<br /><br />"Electric cars have been perceived as slow... we want more consumers to get an electric car."<br /><br />Jacobs said the investment from Qualcomm is part of the company's mission in getting more "connected devices" and improving technology in many sectors.<br /><br />Qualcomm is working with automakers to get more connectivity for vehicle navigation, convenience and other functions, and has a long-term project seeking ways to wirelessly charge electric vehicles, possible through embedded devices in highways.<br /><br />The Formula E car was on show as the Consumer Electronics Show got under way in Las Vegas. </p>
<p>The first Formula E car -- part of an upcoming motor racing competition to put electric vehicles on the map -- made its dazzling debut in Las Vegas.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The sleek Spark-Renault SRT-01E, capable of speeds above 225 kilometers (150 miles) per hour, will compete in the first Formula E Championship that begins in Beijing in September, part of 10 races sponsored by the FIA, the global governing body for motor racing.<br /><br />"The Formula E is the future of the automobile, I think this will change the perception of electric vehicles," said Paul Jacobs, chief executive of Qualcomm, one of the corporate sponsors yesterday.<br /><br />Formula E will have 10 teams, each with two drivers.<br /><br />Brazilian driver Lucas di Grassi showed off the vehicle at a parking lot, demonstrating to spectators and media the capabilities of the fully electric machine.<br /><br />"It's a different feeling from anything else," di Grassi told reporters, saying that "you have to be more precise... but it is more efficient."<br /><br />Formula E chief Alejandro Agag said he hopes the championship will stimulate investment in electric vehicles and change their image.<br /><br />"Formula E is a championship with a mission," he said.<br /><br />"Electric cars have been perceived as slow... we want more consumers to get an electric car."<br /><br />Jacobs said the investment from Qualcomm is part of the company's mission in getting more "connected devices" and improving technology in many sectors.<br /><br />Qualcomm is working with automakers to get more connectivity for vehicle navigation, convenience and other functions, and has a long-term project seeking ways to wirelessly charge electric vehicles, possible through embedded devices in highways.<br /><br />The Formula E car was on show as the Consumer Electronics Show got under way in Las Vegas. </p>