Nissan has strengthened its partnership with the championship-winning racing organisation E.Dams by purchasing a stake, ahead of its debut in the ABB FIA Formula E electric street-racing championship.

Nissan (www.nissan-global.com) is the first Japanese car manufacturer to participate in the innovative series; and as the global leader in electric cars (the company has sold more than 350,000 LEAF vehicles), it says that the Formula E programme will show a new “performance side” of Nissan Intelligent Mobility — its vision for changing how cars are “powered, driven and integrated into society”.

Based in Le Mans (France) and co-founded by team principal Jean-Paul Driot, the E.Dams organisation emerged from DAMS, a leading contender in European open-wheel and sports-car competition for more than 30 years.

In its previous partnership with Nissan’s alliance partner Renault, E.Dams won the Team Championship in the first three seasons of Formula E. It also holds records for most wins and pole positions.

Roel de Vries, Nissan corporate vice-president and global head of marketing, said: “For Nissan’s first Formula E experience, it makes sense to partner with E.Dams and be able to draw on the organisation’s experience of winning races and championships.

"The level of competition in Formula E will get even more intense for season five, with a series-mandated all-new car and powertrain. As part of our commitment to our partnership, Nissan has now purchased an ownership stake in the organisation, and we’re excited to work with Jean-Paul and his team.”

Nissan and E.Dams have been testing the all-new Gen2 Formula E car, which provides more power and range and eliminates the need for the mid-race car swap that was a feature of Formula E during the first four seasons.