"Luxury cars can be green too": Husain Ansari on the green automotive revolution

Various studies show that car owners across the world are reluctant to buy an electric car, despite knowing it is good for the environment. Their main worries include:

a) The battery will run out before reaching the next charging point, called "range anxiety." This issue is especially pertinent in developing countries such as India and Brazil

b) Electric cars are more expensive than normal ICE engines

c) Maintenance costs such as battery replacement after a certain period

The reluctance is prevalent among both luxury and standard car owners, making the worldwide adaptation of electric vehicles slower. But Husain Ansari is out to change that.

"All cars can be electrically powered, even luxury and high-performance hypercars," he says. The recent recipient of the International Achievers Award for Excellence in Engineering is working towards making that vision a reality.

A habit of touching the sky

And the world will do well to believe him because Husain has a habit of accomplishing the impossible. Coming from a middle-class family in Mumbai, he spent his days gazing at airplanes taking off and landing at the airport, dreaming of creating powerful flying machines that could touch the sky.

The scope for studying aerospace engineering was limited in India, so Husain was determined to go abroad. It was a sky-high target for a man of middle-class origins. But he embraced the grind, studying while working in a BPO until he got a scholarship to attend the coveted Aerospace Systems Engineering program at Coventry University, United Kingdom.

Going to the UK was only the first step. Husain spent sleepless nights studying while working odd jobs to support himself and attending classes during the days. Husain also completed an internship as a Test and systems engineer at the Goodrich Engine Control Systems in the UK during his undergraduate degree.

Global Exposure

During his internship, he collaborated with Rolls Royce and Aero Engine Controls to steer the Trent 700 and 800 Engine Control System (ECS) repairs and overhaul projects. He upgraded software and updated production acceptance tests on advanced military aircraft, including Harrier Jump Jet and Eurofighter Typhoon.

As a result of this, the company saved thousands of pounds and the people in charge saw his potential. They soon trusted him with developing the market in the South American region. He was responsible for evaluating aftermarket sector sustainability for both military and civilian aircraft. He also worked with international teams and proposed ingenious solutions for aftermarket sector sustainability. His work helped him gain insights into region-specific challenges and how transport issues impacted human lives.

Husain influenced everyone he worked with during his internship and was awarded the UK eSkills internship award. He completed his Bachelor of Engineering Honours degree with a first class. Husain was craving to do more and joined his alma mater as a lecturer and principal researcher.

Taking off

In 2015, Husain was awarded the internationally recognised Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) UK in recognition of his knowledge, successful engagement, and being a key contributor to high-quality student learning. And during his lectureship, he studied part-time for his Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering. Receiving the Centre for Global Engagement grant for Aerospace Structures Research in collaboration with the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands added another feather to his cap. The grant was awarded to him because Husain demonstrated technical expertise and a more nuanced understanding of the world of transport that went beyond aerospace engineering.

His lifelong goal came true when he visited the NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, and met with former NASA astronaut and astrophysicist Colin Michael Foale.

"Meeting Colin Michael Foale and discussing the future space study program with him was a dream come true," says Husain.

New challenges on earth

While his dream of touching the skies become a reality, Husain was curious to reshape the ground transportation sector.

2015 proved to be a breakthrough for Ansari when he joined Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) as a Technical Specialist for Powertrain CAE. Despite being new in the automotive sector, Husain led virtual engineering strategies for new transmissions and driveline product development and system integration.

He developed innovative solutions that could predict system performance and attributes such as transmission gear shifts, which enabled the principal engineers to identify design issues in the early phases of development. He created robust virtual test procedures that reduced the physical tests and saved the business thousands of pounds in prototype vehicles.

During Husain's time at JLR, he worked on national and international award-winning cars for their performance reliability, such as Jaguar F-Type, E-Pace, I-Pace, Range Rover Evoque, and Land Rover Discovery. Falling back on his expertise in aerospace engineering, he spearheaded innovative powertrain solutions and was awarded the Technical Excellence award for 2016 and 2020.

"I realized the importance of reducing CO2 emissions in my line of work. Air pollution is one of the major causes of deaths and fossil fuel emissions contribute significantly to it"," says Husain. "I want to change that. I want to create cars that run on clean energy without compromising on performance."

The electric revolution

In 2021, he joined McLaren Automotive as the Technical Project Manager for Electric Drive Technology. He is now transforming McLaren's high-performance ICE into electric cars.

McLaren is already geared up to enter the Indian market this year with its first dealership store in Mumbai. Husain is responsible for managing and delivering all aspects of major hybrid vehicle platform projects from inception to end-of-life.

He is not only delivering multi-million-pound electric drive systems but reshaping the powertrain electrification product strategy for future platforms. He is in charge of resources, steering international joint-venture programs with powertrain experts, and managing globally located parts manufacturers and supply chains. Husain is also directing the marketing and sales team to ensure that the vehicle platform delivers the voice of international customers.

Husain is unquestionably following the green agenda. The vehicles he makes are legally compliant and meet the highest quality standards. He plays a pivotal role in making key decisions for business growth and environmental sustainability for the project he is in charge of.

"Leading the McLaren Brand EV platform strategy has been an immense learning opportunity," says Husain. "I have a front-row view of how future products are being made, mass-produced, and launched in the market. I want everyone to realize that electric IS the future, and the technology we have now surpasses all expectations."

Being recognized as a Chartered Engineer in the UK, Husain is currently a member of the Institution of Engineering & Technology. He has also secured his Project Management Qualification from the Association of Project Management, which symbolises his unique ability to handle electrified powertrain development and delivery projects internationally.

The road ahead

He wants to change the perception that electric cars fall short of performance compared to their fossil-fuel-powered counterparts. He is taking a holistic approach towards it, as he believes that his work will not only create a greener future but make it more inclusive and equal.

"My 12+ years of experience across industries has taught me this - it is possible to transform the transportation sector and make it greener. It shouldn't be limited to only standard or luxury cars but also commercial vehicles, motorbikes, and aircrafts"," says Husain.

Husain is confident we can considerably reduce our dependence on fossil fuels with the new powertrain technology for transportation. His ultimate aim is to mitigate CO2 emissions worldwide.