A global leader in sustainable technologies is to form a technology collaboration with the carbon neutral Formula E Team , co-developing the first ever two-seater electric race car.
Envision Virgin Racing Formula E Team and Johnson Matthey (JM), a global leader in sustainable technologies, have today confirmed a multi-year strategic partnership.
Headquartered in the UK, the worldwide FTSE 100 index company has become renowned for its unrivalled expertise and vision to create a cleaner, healthier world, particularly through its advanced cathode material technology.
The partnership with Envision Virgin Racing will see JM become both an Official Partner of the team and of the team’s innovative ‘Race Against Climate Change’ sustainability programme, created to help amplify the fight against climate change and accelerate the movement to zero emission vehicles.
The new collaboration will also focus on the co-development of the first ever electric two-seater Formula E style race car, powered by eLNO®, JM’s family of nickel-rich advanced cathode materials that deliver superior energy density whilst sustaining excellent battery cycle life. Working closely together, as the team does with all its partners, the technical collaboration with JM will result in a working race car which will be based at the team’s state-of-the-art facilities at Silverstone, in the UK.
As a founding team of the FIA World Championship, Envision Virgin Racing – owned by world leading greentech company Envision Group – boasts an impressive record both on and off the track. Aside from securing 11 wins and 29 podiums, it is the only current carbon neutral Formula E team (PAS 2060), one of a handful to have achieved the FIA’s Three Star Sustainability Accreditation and recently announced a new partnership with the UN’s COP26 global summit.
Formula E – the world’s first fully-electric race series – gets underway with a new season in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on February 26 where the team’s race cars will sport JM’s branding, as well as on official team apparel.
As the owner of the team, Envision Group’s pioneering innovation work in areas such as smart wind technology, battery development and AIoT infrastructure has seen it earn an array of sustainability credentials, including being the first company in mainland China to commit to 100% renewable electricity by 2025. The greentech company is becoming the net zero partner to help its clients accelerate their energy transition, digital transformation and net zero carbon ambitions.
Commenting on the announcement, CEO of Envision Group and Executive Chairman of Envision AESC, Lei Zhang said: “Envision Group, Envision Virgin Racing and Johnson Matthey are all at the forefront of the EV revolution, so I am delighted to be collaborating with them. As a global leader in sustainable technologies, JM’s vision aligns perfectly with the net zero values of Envision, and I look forward to working together to tackle climate change before it is too late.”
Robert MacLeod, Chief Executive of Johnson Matthey, added: “Our vision is for a world that’s cleaner and healthier, today and for future generations, so we’re delighted to be working together with Envision Virgin Racing and its owners Envision Group as we both share an ambition to create a more sustainable future. We’re also excited about creating the first electric race car using eLNO® technology – which is a major milestone in its commercialisation – and to join the team’s ‘Race Against Climate Change’ initiative and its goals of inspiring generations to take action to protect the planet.”
About Envision Virgin Racing: Owned by Envision Group, the Envision Virgin Racing Formula E Team is one of the founding and most successful outfits in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship – the innovative electric street racing series.
The purpose-driven team has sustainability running throughout its DNA and exists for one simple purpose; to use its platform to inspire generations to tackle climate change and transition to e-mobility and renewable energy. It does this through its long-running ‘Race Against Climate Change’ programme and prides itself on being the ‘greenest team on the greenest grid’, being the first and only carbon neutral certified team (PAS 2060), one of a handful to have achieved the FIA’s Three Star Sustainability Accreditation, and the first to sign up to the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework. It is also a partner of the biggest climate event, the UN’s COP26 ‘Together for our Planet’ summit taking place in the UK in November.
On-track, the team continues to be one of the most successful ever with 11 wins and 29 podiums to its name and remains the only team to have recorded victories in every season to date. For the 2020/21 Formula E season,
Envision Virgin Racing will see Dutchman Robin Frijns complete his third season with the team alongside newcomer New Zealand driver Nick Cassidy. Overseeing operations at the team’s commercial headquarters in London is Managing Director Sylvain Filippi, who has been with the team since day one, together with Team & Sporting Director Leon Price and Technical Director Chris Gorne based at the team’s operational arm at its state of-the-art facilities at Silverstone. Meanwhile, Envision Group’s Franz Jung continues his role as Chairman of the Board.
For further information visit www.envisionvirginracing.com
