Williams Advanced Engineering, (WAE) based at Grove, near Wantage, is to develop and supply chassis, battery systems and powertrain for the first two seasons of the world’s first-ever international electric race scooter series – the The Electric Scooter Championship (eSC).
Launching in 2021, the Electric Scooter Championship is an international race series that promotes the cost, convenience and sustainability benefits of micromobility in our cities.
The championship, which will hold its first event in 2021, will race specially developed high-speed electric scooters in the heart of major cities, and has been developed to make international motorsport more accessible, affordable and sustainable than ever before.
If you haven't heard of it before, Micromobility technology is light-weight transportation designed for individual use, such as electronic scooters and ebikes, traditional bicycles and scooters, Segways, electric skateboards, electric water bikes and hoverboards.
The series – officially the eSkootr Championship™ – has been co-founded by a group led by motorsport entrepreneur CEO Hrag Sarkissian and COO Khalil Beschir, a Formula 1 broadcaster and former A1 GP racing driver.
"The eSC will define how micromobility and motor racing could and should work together – not only by making the partnership wholly environmentally sustainable, but by also using it to dynamically fast-track concepts and ideas that can reframe mobility for every level of society.
"We go racing with purpose because we can explore the concepts of innovation and sustainability, and because we can drive this exciting new conversation forwards."
The business is further supported through its collaboration with Formula E racer and UN Ambassador Lucas di Grassi, and former F1 driver Alex Wurz.
WAE has already begun to develop a high-performance electric vehicle prototype which it says will achieve speeds of more than 100km/h (60mph) and accelerate faster than most road cars.
The eScooter’s key performance targets are the result of a close collaboration between WAE and eSC and are tuned for optimal delivery around a series of newly developed micromobility race circuits. Track testing and further development of the technology will commence in September before all entrants are supplied with models.
Hrag said: “We chose to collaborate with Williams Advanced Engineering because of their proven experience in battery and powertrain solutions and unparalleled expertise in their application to sustainable and future technologies.
"The company’s experience in delivering high performance battery systems for motorsport series such as Formula E, Extreme E and ETCR, means that they are well placed to support new applications in electrification and other developing technologies.
"For everyone at eSC, the development and build of our first eSkootr is a particularly important landmark. As we begin preparations for our first event next year, we’re enormously pleased and proud to be taking that journey with WAE. Together we can write an exciting new chapter in the story of electric micromobility.”
Iain Wight, Business Development Director, Williams Advanced Engineering, said: “Williams Advanced Engineering has already demonstrated its pioneering approach to battery powertrain solutions in other motorsport series. The opportunity to further explore the sector with the eSkootr and eSC provides an opportunity for us to refine the packaging, ergonomics and systems required for deployment on a micromobility scale.
"Make no mistake, though, this is a very high-performance model: some of the cornering and acceleration figures that we’ve simulated are really quite extreme. It’s like nothing that’s ever been seen before.
"It’s clear that micromobility will play an increased role in the urban lives of millions of people, and the eSC provides a fantastic opportunity for manufacturers to develop and showcase new technology before it’s brought to market.”
Alex Wurz, eSC Safety Ambassador added:“I have had a long and successful relationship with the Williams group, and I know how passionate and focused WAE are about delivering high-technology solutions for motorsport. Their expertise in developing and building battery systems is unrivalled, and they are an ideal supplier for us as we embark on developing an electric vehicle that will break boundaries and spearhead a new movement in mobility – not merely in terms of performance, but also safety.
"Moreover, as a racer, I think we’re building some really cool new motorsport tech. Make no mistake, this will be an extremely fast piece of kit, with unbelievable acceleration and extremely high cornering speeds. We will be pushing the very limits of what’s possible with micromobility, safety and sustainability – and that’s really exciting.”
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