Richard Branson-backed team is the ninth to join the new electric car series, which starts in Beijing next year
(Pic: Virgin)
Virgin is the latest major name to join the Formula E racing series, which starts in Beijing next September.
The Richard Branson-backed team is the ninth to join the new electric car series, which takes part over 10 rounds, ending in London in June 2015.
The entrepreneur and head of Virgin Atlantic ran a Formula One team from 2010-2011, and says the new electric championship will surprise critics.
“The launch of the Formula E Championship is exciting news for racing fans but also for those that believe in developing the great electric cars of the future,” said Branson.
“The need to create fast, dependable and durable race cars will help to accelerate the sector and showcase electric cars to a large global audience.”
Formula E cars have a top speed of 150mph, are far quieter than their Formula One cousins and do not produce any pollution.
Other notable teams include E Dams, led by F1 legend Alain Prost, former F1 team Super Aguri and Mahindra racing, backed by Indian billionaire Anand Mahindra.
Branson founded the Carbon War Room in 2009 to “explore market based solutions to climate change”.
In October he said climate deniers needed to be called out, debated and rallied against.
“If competition was encouraged in clean fuels, making it more attractive for entrepreneurs and businesses to focus upon tackling climate change, we would see results much sooner,” he said.
“Nobody, from businesses, to governments, to individuals can afford to put off taking action.”