The Formula SAE rules have moved to a 2 year rules cycle such that only on odd years will major changes
be made to the regulations. The publication of 2015 Formula SAE Rules will govern 2015-2016 competition
years, however, if the organizers and FSAE Rules Committee find a need to make a change in even years
they have the authority to do so. Regardless of this policy, please note that rule changes for EV may take
place yearly.
For the 2015 rules, any changes can be identified by text that is in italics.
Caution – Neither this introduction, nor any other summary, is a substitute for reading and understanding
the Rules. The Rules are both a controlling and a reference document and should be used for those
purposes. Do not attempt to design your car based on the parts of the Rules you happen to remember from
the last time you read them. We cannot stress it too strongly – Read the Rules thoroughly and repeatedly.
For 2015, there are approximately 100 regulation changes that have been implemented. Most of the changes
have been implemented to make the regulations clearer with the intent to make it easier for teams to produce
a rules compliant vehicle. The following is a list which includes some of the more significant regulation
changes which are likely to change the engineering challenge for teams.
T3.6 – Thinner tubing is allowed in the chassis structure if welds are validated by testing
T6.5 – Rear Wheel Steering is allowed
T9 – Regulations governing where aerodynamic devices can be positioned have been re-written
AF4.8 – Alternative Frame Rules for Accumulator Containers
IC1.6 – The position of the compressor for intake systems has been changed so that it must now be
after the restrictor
IC1.12-1.16 – Electronic Throttle Control is now permitted
IC3.1.4 – Porous or fibrous covering on exhaust is banned
IC4.6 – A voltage limit is specified for LV systems with IC Engines
EV – LiFePO4 will be treated the same as other Li Ion Cells
EV1.1.1 – The grounded low voltage limit has been raised to 60V DC
EV2.2 – The battery power limit for EVs has been lowered to 80kW
EV3.4 – Accumulator containers now have standard regulations governing construction of the
container. Alternatively it is possible to follow the new AF regulations for Accumulator
containers
EV8.2 – Accumulators must be removed from the vehicle for charging