BMW Joins Formula E Ahead of its Main German Rival

Formula E has announced the nine manufacturers homologated for season 5.

Among the list is BMW, which confirmed it has formally registered as a Formula E manufacturer with the FIA accepting the registration. The German automaker had previously formed a close partnership with the MS Amlin Andretti team at the start of the current season and the cooperation includes working together at the engineering level and sharing resources.

BMW has been supplying i3 and i8 support cars to the series and appeared to be considering an entry for some time now.

SEE ALSO: Mercedes-Benz Could be Racing in Formula E in 2018

BMW joins ABT Formel E, DS Automobiles, Jaguar Land Rover, Mahindra Racing, NextEV NIO, Penske Autosport, Renault and Venturi Automobiles in Formula E. Noticeably missing is Mercedes-Benz, which could still exercise its reserved spot for the fifth season, but it would likely have to source a powertrain from somewhere else until it could get its own program approved.

In Formula E, the chassis and battery packs will still be common to each team, but development of the powertrain opens up for the fifth season that starts in late 2018.