Alexander Dennis (ADL) is to buy 250 Gyrodrive electric flywheel systems from GKN Hybrid Power over the next two years.
It will focus initially on the introduction of the low emission technology for bus fleets in London and Oxford, but anticipates rapid deployment across the UK in the next few years. It will also be working closely with GKN to develop the technology for international markets.
Earlier this year Go-Ahead Group selected GKN to supply 500 systems for use on buses across the UK following successful trials in London. ADL’s Euro 6 Enviro400 fitted with the Gyrodrive system recently achieved Low Carbon Emission Bus Certification, which acknowledges a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and entitles operators to enhanced fuel rebates.
GKN told CBW that this is to be first time the Gyrodrive will be installed in new vehicles at manufacture, as it has previously only been retrofitted to older buses.
Alexander Dennis CEO, Colin Robertson, said: “ADL is now well established as Britain’s leading provider of advanced hybrid systems with almost 800 of our low carbon buses operating across the country. This alliance with GKN introduces a new dynamic to the market place, courtesy of a lower cost solution that provides significant fuel and greenhouse gas reductions, coupled with reliability and durability. Add to this the incomparable aftermarket support that we can provide together and it represents a powerful proposition.”
