Between six and eight manufacturers are expected to field powertrain components in season two, Formula E boss Alejandro Agag announced today. Speaking in a press conference ahead of the Punta del Este race, Agag confirmed that 12 entities had applied to become constructors for the 2015-16 season, as part of an FIA process that closed at the end of October. Up to eight are expected to be successful, although the Spark-Renault chassis is likely to be used for the next few seasons.

“There were 12 applications presented,” Agag said. “They are a mix – some OEMs and car manufacturers, and some other types of companies that are technology companies who could do batteries or electric motors or entire electric powertrains.”

Agag explained that a five year “technology roadmap” will set out who can build what and when.

“Next week, we will have meetings with the FIA and the selected six to eight manufacturers, to clearly define the technology roadmap for the championship. We want to define the areas that can be developed and the areas that cannot. We want to develop the electric powertrain and we will limit development in other areas, such as aero and chassis. We want to use this chassis for many years, and provide a box for teams to put a powertrain in, and that’s it.”

Agag alluded to the possibility that constructors will be allowed to develop mechanical parts of the car, which tallies with our understanding that some companies are already working on gearbox designs.

He concluded: “We will have quite a number of different powertrains. We will have some big names. We hope that we will have a technology competition. We will have very clear messages about where we want to go. The ultimate target is to do the race with one car. That will be an incredibly strong message.”

More details are expected before the next race.