Tim Woolmer, founder and chief technology officer of YASA, has made history by becoming the first British recipient of the Porsche Award of the TU Wien.
Dr Wolfgang Porsche, Volkswagen AG chairman of the board Dr Oliver Blume and Dr Hans Michel Piëch were among those on hand to present Tim with the award, along with YASA CEO Jörg Miska.
The prestigious trophy has been given to Hans Mezger, father of Porsche’s most famous engine, quattro creator Jörg Bensinger, ABS developers with Mercedes and Bosch Jürgen Paul and Heinz Leiber and more since 1977, putting Tim among the true heavyweights of automotive innovators.
“The same pioneering spirit that drove Ferdinand Porsche some 125 years ago also characterises today’s award winner,” said Blume, who acts as CEO of VW and Porsche. “Dr Tim Woolmer is an electrical engineer, inventor and entrepreneur. Twenty years ago, he dedicated himself to researching axial flux electric motors. By founding YASA, he created the basis for advancing and commercialising this technology.”
YASA’s ability to create motors for firms beyond parent Mercedes-Benz and AMG was commended, too, adding that its openness ‘invigorates the market as a whole.’
Prof. Dr Uwe Dieter Grebe, new Head of the Institute of Powertrain and Automotive Technology at TU Wien, added: “YASA’s axial flux electric motors enable a quadrupling of torque and a doubling of output in relation to size and save space inside the vehicle.
“Axial flux electric motors also enable a chain of potential downsizings and weight savings, as vehicles can be equipped with a smaller battery while still delivering the same power and range. This in turn reduces vehicle mass and allows the use of lighter chassis components and brakes. It illustrates how starting with a superior electric motor leads to a better overall vehicle.”
Accepting the award, Tim said: "This is a tremendous honour and validation of the journey we've been on at YASA. This recognition belongs not just to me, but to the entire YASA team who have worked tirelessly to bring this technology from the laboratory to production vehicles.”
YASA will become the first specialist to occupy the Ranges at Bicester Motion, having taken delivery of its new 90,000 sq ft headquarters in the summer of 2025.