PAUL MCNAMARA, WILLIAMS ADVANCED ENGINEERING | EVERYTHING EV PODCAST

EV Channels Review

This podcast episode features an insightful discussion with Paul McNamara, Technical Director at Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE), focusing on the company's deep commitment to electrification. McNamara highlights WAE's origins in motorsport and how this heritage, particularly from Formula E, has fueled their expertise in high-performance batteries and electrification systems. Key projects discussed include the Jaguar CX-75, Formula E batteries, and collaborations with VW, Anglo-American mining trucks, and Airbus. McNamara emphasizes that electrification, coupled with lightweight technology, is central to WAE's strategy, driven by the need for innovative solutions and rich data from motorsport. He views electric motorsport as growing in parallel with traditional forms, each serving different audiences. The partnership with Italdesign to create a flexible EV platform is presented as a practical solution for niche manufacturers and new entrants. McNamara also touches on the challenges of business cases for high-performance EVs and the importance of standardization. He confirms that electrification is the industry's clear direction, though infrastructure remains a key enabler. Future plans include expanding WAE's technology into aerospace and defense, citing work on BAE Systems' Tempest program.