EMPEL Systems Celebrates Industry Recognition as INDYCAR Hybrid Team Wins 2025 Louis Schwitzer Award

(‘EMPEL’ or the ‘Group’)

EMPEL Systems, a UK-based leader in electric propulsion technologies, is proud to announce its role in the collaborative development of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES hybrid power unit, which has been named the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Louis Schwitzer Award. Presented by the Indiana Section of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and BorgWarner, the award recognises innovative engineering excellence and ingenuity in race car design.

The INDYCAR Hybrid Power Unit, which debuted in competition at the 2024 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, represents a milestone in the evolution of racing technology. Developed in collaboration with Chevrolet, Honda, and a select group of engineering partners, the hybrid unit seamlessly integrates a low-voltage (48V) energy recovery system with the existing 2.2-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine. This allows drivers to regenerate and deploy energy throughout the lap, enhancing performance while improving efficiency and sustainability.

EMPEL Systems played the lead role in the complete design and manufacturing of the ultra-compact 48V electric motor (MGU) and power electronics motor control systems (inverter, MCU) as well as the advanced software control and diagnostics systems. The Indycar Hybrid MGU directly leveraged EMPEL’s state-of-the-art EMx motor and LIGHTNING multi-phase inverter technologies, which are expected to enter series production for several Automotive and non-Automotive high-performance applications in the 2026-27 model years, being produced from EMPEL’s 40,000 units per year factory in Milton-Keynes, UK.

John Martin, Co-Founder and Director of EMPEL Systems, commented:

“We are honoured to be part of the team recognised with the Louis Schwitzer Award. The hybrid power unit represents a new chapter in motorsport, combining performance and efficiency without compromise. Our teams experience included Formula One, Formula E and Le Mans prototypes, all with high performance goals, but our collaboration with Indycar, HRC, Chevrolet and Ilmor Engineering to deliver a state-of-the-art system for not just a few teams but the complete 28 car Indycar grid every race weekend has been a tremendous challenge not purely for performance, but in terms of ensuring identical homologation of that performance in each unit, our manufacturing processes, quality management, logistics and customer support. EMPEL’s contribution reflects our commitment to driving technological advancement in electric mobility, from advanced road cars to the most competitive motorsport series in the world.”

The Louis Schwitzer Award is named after the Indianapolis 500 pioneer who won the first race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1909 and later contributed extensively to automotive engineering. The award celebrates designs that demonstrate outstanding innovation, competitive potential, and application of engineering principles.

This recognition further establishes EMPEL Systems as a trusted partner in high-performance electrification and underscores the company’s growing reputation for technical excellence across automotive and motorsport sectors

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EMPEL Systems is at the forefront of creating new electronic propulsion technologies that deliver high performance and value. The team at EMPEL Systems consists of highly experienced, innovative, passionate engineers and industry specialists, working as an integrated product team to deliver exceptional new product solutions.

www.empelsystems.com

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