A remarkable race between the fastest land animal, a cheetah, and a fully-electric race car recently occurred in the savannah.
The event aimed to raise awareness about climate change and its impact on wildlife, especially species under threat, like the cheetah.
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The cheetah initially took an early lead in the race, accelerating to an impressive 62mph (100 km/h) in just three seconds.
However, despite the animal’s explosive speed, the race car—capable of reaching up to 140mph (225 km/h)—soon caught up and surpassed the cheetah to win the sprint.
This unique race was organized by Formula E, a championship for electric cars, to draw attention to environmental issues affecting animals like the cheetah.
It took place on a remote airstrip in South Africa’s Western Cape, with Formula E driver Jean-Eric Vergne, a recent Montreal E-Prix winner, behind the wheel.
Although the cheetah can reach speeds of around 70mph (112 km/h), the electric race car had a clear advantage in the long run, highlighting the power of technology.
Formula E hopes that this footage will spotlight the pressing need to address climate change, contributing to habitat loss for many species.
The wild cheetah population is now alarmingly low, with only about 7,000 remaining. As a species that requires vast landscapes, cheetahs are especially vulnerable to shrinking habitats and fragmentation, problems worsened by rising temperatures and other climate-related challenges.
Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Formula E, emphasized the urgency of these issues: “We knew the race would be close given the cheetah’s speed, but the bigger question is what the future holds for all of us, including the cheetah. We need to tackle the root causes of these environmental problems, and electric cars can help by reducing global CO2 emissions.”
Vergne echoed this sentiment, highlighting cheetahs’ many threats, from the illegal pet trade to habitat destruction. “I’m proud to be part of this project, and we hope to inspire more action to protect these incredible animals,” he said.
This race serves as a reminder that while technological advancements can achieve incredible feats, the natural world faces serious threats that require immediate action.
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