Williams Advanced Engineering Partners with Castrol for High-Performance Electric Vehicle Fluids

The Shift Towards Electrification

Automakers are racing towards electrifying their cars as rapidly as EVs propel from 0 to 100 Km/h. This has compelled auxiliary industries to make a profound shift from conventional oil products to those which befit electric vehicles. This shift is necessary because EVs rely on different hardware for their movement, requiring specialized oils that can support future mobility.

Partnership Between WAE and Castrol

The technology and services business Williams Advanced Engineering Limited (WAE) has joined hands with Castrol, one of the world’s leading lubricants manufacturers, to build upon a 5-year technical partnership aimed at developing high-performance Electric Vehicle (EV) fluids.

As part of the contract, Castrol will produce thermal EV fluids to provide a solid base for WAE’s electrification programs and motorsport activities, which include:

• Formula E
• Extreme E
• ETCR
• LMdH

These thermal fluids are designed to enhance the performance of motorsport batteries, which are under constant pressure due to their high-speed applications, starting from May 2022.

Future Plans in Aerospace and Marine

While WAE and Castrol’s core focus is on the burgeoning motorsport segment, they also plan to diversify into aerospace and marine sectors. The technical competency of Castrol combined with WAE’s engineering expertise will help build reliable solutions for these air and aquatic machines.

A significant need exists for high-tech, rapid, and efficient battery cooling systems, which are crucial for maintaining battery performance under high demand.

Innovative Product Range for EV Applications

A novel ON product range will be available for WAE, featuring:

• EV transmission fluids
• EV thermal fluids
• EV greases

These products will enable the company to access contemporary solutions for battery cooling systems. Currently, the brand is developing prototypes to enhance their second-life viability and value.

Performance Enhancement through Collaboration

For each application, the partnership will produce special thermal EV fluids that will enhance the performance quotient of the machines they are used for.

Statements from Leadership

Craig Wilson, CEO of Williams Advanced Engineering, stated: “We are delighted to be part of this strategic partnership with Castrol, which I believe will allow the development of products specifically designed to support electrification, in whatever form that takes. In addition to the motorsport sector, I believe advanced fluid technology will be important to a number of other key sectors.”

AS Ramchander, Vice President-Marketing and GAM at Castrol, added: “As the world of mobility accelerates towards an electric future, it’s essential that we fully understand the requirements and challenges of electrifying all forms of mobility. By partnering with Williams Advanced Engineering, we hope to support the development of cutting-edge mobility solutions, as well as further advance our EV Fluid technologies.”

The Importance of EV Fluids

The development of such fluids is crucial to support electric vehicles, which are anticipated to become the new normal within the next 10 years. It is vital for Castrol to maintain its relevance in the market and continue to build the brand name it has established over the years. A quick and early transition is beneficial, allowing them to gain a first-mover advantage, especially as internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and the current lubricants are expected to become obsolete soon.