Recap: E-Cannonball & Formula E Weekend in Berlin

Frank Goebbels and Ingo Boll’s trip to Berlin turned out to be much more eventful than planned. Technical difficulties arose as early as the first charging stop, forcing them to spontaneously adjust their route due to their remaining range being critically low. Several charging and technical issues also led to unplanned stops along the rest of the route. Tesla charging stations, in particular, proved to be reliable. Shortly before reaching their destination, a two-hour full closure of the highway caused a significant delay, resulting in their arrival at the hotel late at night.

Friday was all about the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. At the race track in Berlin-Tempelhof, there was an opportunity to experience the cars up close and to present JOKARI with its own vehicle in the setting of a state-of-the-art motorsport event. Despite a modest turnout, the appearance left a positive impression.

In the evening, the community evening provided a space for in-depth discussions: conversations with partners, sponsors, and other teams led to new contacts and ideas. Particularly valuable was a spontaneous encounter with a YouTuber, which could lead to a potential collaboration for future trade shows.

Saturday started early and took us straight to the heart of the E-Cannonball. The rally proved to be challenging—both in terms of the route and the organization. At times, unclear route markings required improvisation, with digital tools and team coordination playing a central role.

The numerous challenges demanded concentration, precision, and trust within the team, such as during blindfolded tasks, time and distance trials, or energy-efficient driving right up to the limit of the remaining range. Despite the intense strain, the team reached the finish line safely. The result: second place in the commercial vehicle category—a success that was perceived as well-deserved and achieved through teamwork.

The final day began with all the vehicles lined up on the Formula E grounds at Tempelhof Airport. JOKARI made a strong impression in front of an expected crowd of around 25,000 visitors. A special highlight was the joint lap of all the vehicles around the race track—accompanied by enthusiastic cheers from the audience.

During the second awards ceremony, the team took the podium for the commercial vehicle category on the official Formula E stage. As the day progressed, numerous conversations took place with interested parties, particularly from the electrical trade. Topics such as sustainable mobility, noise reduction through electric vehicles, and practical applications of JOKARI tools were the focus of these discussions.

Watching the race from the main grandstand rounded out the weekend. Overall, valuable contacts were made and existing partnerships were strengthened.

The E-Cannonball weekend was an all-around successful event for JOKARI, featuring memorable experiences, new contacts, and a second-place finish of which the team can be justifiably proud.