Yokogawa Sponsors Pioneering Uk Electric Racing Car

The sponsorship agreement involves Yokogawa supplying Drayson with selected items of test equipment including oscilloscopes and power meters, in exchange for which the Yokogawa logo will be displayed on the Lola-Drayson B12/69EV Le Mans prototype electric drive racing car.

The culmination of Drayson Racing’s long experience in green technology since pioneering bio-ethanol fuels in 2007, this ground-breaking vehicle has been designed to demonstrate the potential of green technologies in the harsh environment of motorsport.

Project pioneer Lord Drayson, former UK Minister of Science & Innovation, Managing Partner at Drayson Racing Technologies and President of the Motorsport Industry Association, comments: Electric racing represents a considerable new business opportunity for motorsport and underlines the growing commercial potential of green racing technology. Electric-powered racing is really taking off with the launch of the new FIA Formula E world championship for electric racing cars planned for 2013, and we are thrilled to be at the forefront of the push for innovation at such an exciting time for the sport and the industry.

The Lola-Drayson B12/69EV racing car incorporates a number of technical advances such as inductive charging, composite battery power, moveable aerodynamics and electrical regenerative damping, making it one of the most innovative clean-technology motorsport projects in the world. With a power output of over 850 horsepower, it also aims to be the fastest electrically powered racing car yet developed.

Angus Lyon, Chief Engineer, Electric Drive Train, with Drayson Racing Technologies, is enthusiastic about the benefits of the sponsorship agreement for his development work: “The Yokogawa test instruments will help us to address a number of challenges in the design of critical components of the drive train - in particular, identifying and eliminating the cause of electrical noise and interference that inevitably occur in the harsh automotive environment.”

Andy Barnes, UK Sales Manager for Yokogawa Measurement Technologies, is equally positive about the relationship: We are delighted to be associated with such a prestigious project in a technology sector which totally reflects our corporate focus. Yokogawa’s test instruments are at the forefront of measurements in the power electronics field with particular emphasis on sustainable technology and energy efficiency, and this project is an outstanding example of how advanced engineering techniques can be used to achieve these aims. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.

Yokogawa is the market leader in innovative test and measurement technologies focusing on the challenges related to energy conservation, efficiency and sustainability. From general-purpose oscilloscopes through ScopeCorders, digital power meters and sophisticated power analysers, Yokogawa is dedicated to providing tools to help its customers in a wide range of industries to achieve energy savings and efficiency that will ultimately benefit the environment and, above all, the planet.