Johnson Matthey and Envision Virgin Racing announce multi year strategic partnership

Johnson Matthey (JM), a global leader in sustainable technologies, has taken another major step in its plans to commercialise eLNO, its family of nickel rich advanced cathode materials, by entering into a strategic partnership with Formula E team Envision Virgin Racing. The collaboration will see JM and Envision Virgin Racing combine next generation cathode materials with leading battery technology to create the first ever electric two-seater Formula E style race car, powered by eLNO.

The concept vehicle will showcase eLNO in action and will act as a test bed, providing valuable experience of a challenging automotive application that will inform the continuous development of eLNO as a high performance, customisable material for passenger cars. The multi year partnership will also see JM sponsor the racing team’s participation in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

Formula E is the ultimate showcase for e-mobility, using only high performance battery electric vehicles in its races. Envision Virgin Racing’s mission is to energise the ‘Race Against Climate Change’, focusing on accelerating the transition to renewable energy and mass adoption of e-mobility. A founding team of the ABB FIA World Championship, Envision Virgin Racing is the only current Formula E racing team to be certified carbon neutral (PAS 2060).  They have also partnered with the UK Government's 'Together for Our Planet' campaign to encourage global action against climate change ahead of the COP26 Climate Change Conference. Envision Virgin Racing is owned by Envision Group, who has pioneered innovation work in areas such as smart wind technology, battery development and AIoT infrastructure.

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