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Geely is taking a more serious look at a future Formula E programme, with attention understood to be focused on the second phase of the Gen4 era in 2028. Discussions with potential partners continued during last weekendâs Shanghai E-Prix, where Geely Holding Group executive vice president and spokesperson Victor Young was present in the paddock.
Young spoke with senior Formula E figures and several team principals at the event, underlining that Geelyâs interest has moved beyond a distant concept. For a championship seeking deeper manufacturer relevance in China, the timing is significant. Formula E currently has a Chinese-entered team in Envision, but it has not had a Chinese manufacturer since NIOâs involvement with the then-named ERT team ended in 2023. Even then, NIOâs technical link had effectively faded after the Gen2 period.
The potential manufacturer landscape is also shifting around the Gen4 rules cycle, with Formula E already preparing for its next major technical phase. That wider context is reflected in recent developments such as CUPRA KIRO remaining a Porsche customer team for Formula Eâs GEN4 era, a reminder that powertrain and partnership structures are being locked in early.
If Geely gives the project the green light, it has several possible identities to deploy, including Zeekr, Polestar, Lynk & Co, Lotus, Maple or the Geely name itself. Of those, Lotus carries the strongest motorsport heritage, making it an obvious candidate should the group want a high-profile return to top-level racing.
Lotus UK, the sports car manufacturer, and Lotus Technology, the electric vehicle division, were reunified under Geelyâs umbrella following a restructuring. The company remains headquartered at Hethel in Norfolk, at the historic former RAF airfield.
A Lotus-branded Formula E effort was previously the subject of a feasibility study in late 2020, when the championship had licences available after Audi and BMW withdrew. The situation is different now, with Formula E close to full franchise capacity and 24 cars currently expected if Penske continues and a second Porsche factory team materialises.
That points towards Geely linking with an existing team rather than arriving as a completely standalone entrant. While nothing is settled, Mahindra and Formula Eâs newest winner Lola are viewed as the most likely partnership options.
Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds acknowledged Geelyâs breadth when speaking in Shanghai, saying: âI know Victor at Geely well and have spoken to him many times, and I think they do an impressive job, whether thatâs through Lynk & Co, Zeekr, or perhaps Lotus or Polestar might be more recognisable for us, but they have a wealth of brands and have been hugely successful. You can read between those lines.â
Geelyâs motorsport strategy is overseen by Alexander Murdzevski Schedvin, now managing director of Geely Group Motorsport International AB. With Geely already active in the TCR World Tour, Formula E is increasingly emerging as a serious future consideration.
Heâs a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.