The Spark SRT05e chassis, in use since Season 5, was fielded for the last time. Development of the third-generation Gen3 car was well advanced by this point, with the new machinery scheduled for the 2022–23 season. The introduction of a revised qualifying format — featuring head-to-head duels between the top eight qualifiers — added an elimination spectacle that differed sharply from the standard timed sessions used previously.
Several major manufacturers announced their withdrawal during or ahead of Season 8. Audi had already announced their departure from Formula E at the end of the 2020–21 season; they stayed on as a powertrain supplier to Envision Racing for one more year. BMW similarly exited as a constructor but supplied powertrains to Andretti Autosport for the final Gen2 season. Mercedes-Benz announced in August 2021 that Season 8 would be their last as a Formula E team, ending a three-year factory commitment that produced back-to-back championships. Envision Virgin Racing rebranded as Envision Racing after the Envision Group took full ownership of the team. Jaguar Racing rebranded as Jaguar TCS Racing through a title sponsorship deal with Tata Consultancy Services.
Lucas di Grassi joined ROKiT Venturi Racing after six seasons with Audi, partnering Edoardo Mortara. Antonio Giovinazzi, the former Formula One driver, switched to Dragon / Penske Autosport. Oliver Askew joined Andretti Autosport, becoming the first American to compete full-time in the series. Dan Ticktum moved from Formula 2 to partner Oliver Turvey at NIO 333. Maximilian Günther joined Nissan e.dams from Andretti, while Oliver Rowland moved in the other direction to Mahindra Racing.
Edoardo Mortara led the championship at various stages of the year, with Jean-Éric Vergne, Nyck de Vries, and Stoffel Vandoorne all mounting serious challenges. Mitch Evans won double victories in Rome to emerge as another title contender. Jaguar's pace across the European rounds was particularly strong.
Vandoorne took the championship lead after Monaco and maintained consistent scoring through the back half of the season. A crucial moment came in New York when heavy rain triggered a red flag; Nick Cassidy was awarded his maiden win by countback. Edoardo Mortara's championship challenge effectively ended at the Seoul finale when he retired with a puncture early in the race.
The Seoul double-header closed the Gen2 era. António Félix da Costa took pole for the final race of the generation and Vandoorne managed his resources across both Seoul ePrix to seal the Drivers' Championship — his sole race win of the season came at Monaco — proving that consistency across 16 rounds ultimately mattered more than outright victories. Mercedes closed their Formula E chapter with back-to-back driver and teams' titles.
The inaugural Jakarta ePrix was held on streets around the Ancol area of Indonesia, with Jean-Éric Vergne setting a new record for most pole positions in series history at the event. Sam Bird sustained a wrist fracture at the London ePrix finale and was replaced for the Seoul round by Norman Nato. The Vancouver ePrix, planned as a new addition, was cancelled by the event organisers and replaced late in the season by a Marrakesh round.