Envision Virgin Racing Formula E Team and Johnson Matthey (JM), a global leader in sustainable technologies, have 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.
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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.”
