The programme – co-funded by Innovate UK – will see Caterpillar, AVID Technology, Denso Marston and Imperial College London collaborating to develop a highly efficient hybrid powertrain for heavy-duty on- and off-highway vehicles.
The powertrain will use AVID’s electrification technology for the engine’s ancillary devices to reduce the parasitic loads on the engine. Ancillary devices will be powered using waste heat energy recovered from the exhaust.
The system is expected to deliver significant fuel consumption reductions over real-world operating conditions and will culminate with an on-engine demonstration using a Caterpillar-built Tier 4Final-compliant diesel engine.
“To secure a programme like this, with a major name such as Caterpillar is huge for AVID,” says managing director Ryan Maughan (pictured).
“This has allowed us to push forwards with significant investments in new facilities and personnel to support the growth of the business, and will provide a platform for further growth over the coming years.”