YASA Limited
YASA is a British manufacturer of electric motors and motor controllers for use in automotive and industrial applications. The company was founded in 2009 by the CTO Dr Tim Woolmer who is also the holder of a number of related motor technology patents.
Although initial commercial adoption was in high-performance cars, markets for YASA e-motors and generators now include the off-road, marine, industrial and aerospace sectors.
History
YASA Limited was founded in September 2009 to commercialise a permanent-magnet axial-flux electric motor. The motor was developed for the Morgan LIFEcar in 2008 by Dr Malcolm McCulloch and Dr Tim Woolmer, then a PhD student, at the University of Oxford. In 2015, YASA Motors launched the P400 Series of motors in serial production for volume manufacturers. In January 2018, YASA's 1st series production facility, capable of 100,000 units per year, was officially opened by Greg Clark, UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.In May 2019, the company announced "Ferrari selects YASA electric motor for SF90 Stradale, the company's first hybrid production series supercar"
On 22 July 2021 YASA Limited was acquired by Mercedes-Benz. Just before the acquisition, YASA spun out Evolito Ltd with the rights to develop the technology for aviation applications.
On 21 May 2024, YASA received approval to establish its new headquarters at a former RAF base in Bicester, Oxfordshire.
In July 2025, YASA announced a prototype 550 kW 13.1 kg motor, equating to power density of 42 kW/kg, which the company claimed to be the highest ever achieved.
In October 2025, YASA announced an updated 12.7 kg prototype that on the dynamometer produced a peak power of 750 kw and sustained power of 350-400 kw. A version matching conventional personal vehicles could be even smaller and lighter.