Williams to provide battery system to FIA Formula E championship

Williams are to provide the battery system that will be used in the FIA Formula E championship which is set to debut in Autumn 2014.

Williams Advanced Engineering, a division of the Williams group which commercialises Formula 1-based technologies, will partner Spark Racing Technology to design and assemble the units.

The single seater fully-electric championship is set to start in September 2014 with 10 city centre races – eight of which have already been announced in the form of London, Rome, Los Angeles, Miami, Beijing, Putrajaya (Malaysia), Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. Bangkok is under consideration for one of the remaining slots.

Williams’ work with battery storage systems began with its F1 programme following the introduction or Kers (Kers Energy Recovery Systems) in 2009. Since then, the outfit develops both battery and flywheel energy storage systems for both motorsport and non-motorsport industries.

The company developed a flywheel hybrid system for Audi’s Le Mans winning R18 e-tron Quattro, a flywheel system for London buses with Go-Ahead Group and a battery hybrid system for the Jaguar C-X75 supercar.

Williams founder and team principal Sir Frank Williams said: “This is an exciting new racing series that will play a key role in highlighting the growing relevance of technologies originally developed for motorsport to the wider world.

“Energy efficiency is an important issue for Williams and whilst our work in this field is now spanning a number of market sectors beyond racing, motorsport will always be the ultimate proving ground for our technologies.

“Electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly important part of the automotive industry and Formula E is the perfect opportunity for Williams to validate the latest developments in battery technology.”

President of Spark Racing Technology Frederic Vasseur added: “The vast experience from Williams and especially from Williams Advanced Engineering in the field of hybrid systems and electric engine power, guarantees quality.

“Spark Racing Technology is extremely proud to bring together some of the biggest names in motorsport and expects no less from Williams as they accompany us in the highest level of the first world championship for electric cars.”

Late last year, McLaren announced they will supply the engine, transmission and electronics to the series. And last month, Renault joined as a technical partner while TAG Heuer also joined as a global partner.