WSC Group has chosen WAE to design, develop, manufacture and supply the batteries and vehicle control modules (VCMs) for the first electric multi-brand Touring Car racing series, ETCR, the future of motorsport and electric mobility. Racing between revolutionary electric cars will start in 2020, supported by a range of engagement and entertainment activities from WSC.
In the near future, the series aims to position itself as the leading motorsport platform for R&D of electric vehicle technologies to be applied to road cars. ETCR will seek to make motorsport relevant to a wider range of production vehicles and provide a marketing platform to demonstrate new and existing technologies and innovation. WSC plans to aim the series at motorsport lovers, enthusiasts of new technologies and their sustainable application.
WAE will apply its award-winning capabilities, developed from Formula One, Formula E and the application of technology into road-going vehicles into the project, delivering a safe, reliable and powerful product. For example, while powering the first four seasons of Formula E racing, the batteries from WAE performed at 99.5% on-track reliability. In 2018 the company was honoured with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category for its work taking electric motorsport knowledge into commercial applications.
“The team at WAE is delighted to be able to bring our award-winning expertise in electrification to ETCR,” said Iain Wight, Business Development Director of WAE. “With the experience, skills and know-how accumulated within Williams from electrifying motorsport and road-going cars, we’re excited to work with the team at WSC Group to continue the progress of electric vehicles and racing to inspire the future of sustainable mobility.”
ETCR will be the first ever multi-brand Touring Car series with production cars powered by a common 100% electric powertrain. It plans to establish itself first across Europe, Asia and North America. The thrill of the races will benefit from both street circuits and permanent tracks, using connectivity and new technologies to deliver a new, engaging format with race data available to spectators at the event and online.
“Williams is synonymous with success in motorsport,” said WSC president Marcello Lotti. “The company’s achievements speak for themselves. We are proud of this agreement that associates the Williams name with a new and ambitious brand like ETCR. We are delighted to work together with a partner that knows all about motorsport and whose expertise will surely contribute to make ETCR successful. WSC Group is the owner of the TCR brand, arguably the most successful motorsport category in recent years that has completely reshaped Touring Car competition globally. It was a logical step for the company to use its vast know-how in the application of new technologies.”
