UK automotive supplier GKN has agreed a deal that will see Formula One technology fitted to 500 buses across the UK.
As part of a supply deal with national bus operator Go-Ahead, GKN will provide vehicles with its innovative Gyrodrive electric flywheel technology, which will help to reduce emissions in cities. The system, which uses a high-speed carbon fibre flywheel to store energy, is based on Formula One technology developed in the UK. It also helped the Audi R18 e-tron win the Le Mans 24 hour race in June.
The system is expected to offer fuel savings of more than 20% over conventional powertrains and is designed to last the life of the bus.
Philip Swash, CEO, GKN Land Systems, said, “This is an important milestone for GKN Hybrid Power. We’ve worked in close partnership with Go-Ahead throughout the development of this innovative technology and it’s very exciting to move into the production phase.
“The fact that we are using the same groundbreaking technology that helped Audi win at Le Mans for the past three years to improve fuel efficiency in the public transport sector also shows what great innovation there is in the UK’s engineering sector.”
For more information on innovative advanced powertrain technologies, see the SMMT Sustainability Report.
