F1 technology to improve fuel efficiency of London buses

GKN signs deal to supply electric flywheel systems for 500 buses

GKN and the Go-Ahead Group have agreed a deal that will help reduce emissions in cities with the supply of flywheel-based Gyrodrive systems to 500 buses over the next two years.

The Gyrodrive Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) harvests energy that is normally lost as heat when braking and turns it into additional power, generating fuel savings of more than 20% and reducing carbon emissions. This same technology helped Audi’s R18 e-tron win at Le Mans last month.

The agreement covers the supply of the complete Gyrodrive system, including the flywheel, electric motor and installation. The system is designed to last for the life of the bus eliminating the need for any battery changes. Following a successful introduction in London, Go-Ahead intends to utilise the technology in cities it serves across the UK, initially in London and Oxford.

Philip Swash, chief executive of 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.”

David Brown, chief executive of the Go-Ahead group, added: “We have a strong record in continually reducing our carbon emissions and flywheel technology will help us make buses an even more environmentally responsible choice and encourage more people to travel by public transport.

"The flywheel technology helps us to reduce our fuel consumption and CO2 emissions so improving air quality for all those living, working and visiting the city.”

GKN Hybrid Power is based in Oxfordshire, with final assembly taking place in a new facility at GKN’s site in Telford. The Gyrodrive technology is being further developed for other mass transit markets including trams, construction and agricultural equipment.

GKN acquired the Gyrodrive technology in April this year from Williams Grand Prix Engineering, which has been developing the technology since 2008, to bring to the product market.