Williams Advanced Engineering to Supply ETCR Batteries

Photo: ETCR

Williams Advanced Engineering will serve as the sole battery supplier for ETCR when the electric touring car platform debuts next year, organizer WSC Group revealed on Thursday.

The company will design, manufacture and supply batteries and vehicle control modules for the entire ETCR field.

It has a history of supplying batteries for electric racing series, having served as the exclusive supplier in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship for four seasons between its inception and the end of last season.

Williams batteries performed at a 99.5 percent on-track reliability during its time in Formula E, and the company received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category last year.

“The team at Williams Advanced Engineering is delighted to be able to bring our award-winning expertise in electrification to ETCR,” said business development director Iain Wight.

“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 is set to be the first ever multi-brand touring car series using fully electric production cars, and is set to launch in 2020 with a global championship.

The series was announced at the Geneva International Motor Show last year before an official launch at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in October.

As revealed by e-racing365, it will effectively use a reverse of the Formula E model, with a spec powertrain, battery and cooling system implemented into manufacturer-specific cars.

This allows manufacturers to promote their road-going electric cars by using similar models on track. Cupra and Hyundai are the two brands to formally commit to the series so far.

“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 knowhow in the application of new technologies.”

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.