A new “ultra-low” emission zone is due to be introduced to London in 2020, preventing buses bought before 2014 from entering the centre of the capital. Vantage Power (VP) has developed a hybrid retrofit system that will enable bus operators to meet those targets at a quarter the cost of buying a new hybrid bus.

A battery cooling system has been developed with Termotek, a technotrans company that enables VP to implement its retrofit system.

VP, which specializes in the manufacture and retrofit of environmental and cost effective hybrid powertrains for buses, has been working on the project with Termotek/technotrans for three years and last month at the Engineering Design Show it came to fruition with a three year supply deal being signed. In 2016 VP will commence with the full production and their hybrid retrofit systems.

VP designs and manufactures hybrid retrofit powertrains for buses, enabling operators to reduce their fuel consumption and emissions without the expense of buyng new vehicles. By designing the whole hybrid system - everything between the fuel tank and the wheels - VP ensures optimum performance of each component, resulting in better fuel economy, lower emissions and greater reliability than other systems.

The company was founded by Alexander Schey and Toby Schulz in 2011, both having been active in the electric and hybrid vehicle space since 2007. The company is well funded through its active and supportive investor base, and has attracted over £4m of investment.

Termotek, part of the technotrans group, created chiller prototype systems during the development phase and these were tested on operational buses.

Toby Schulz says: “Termotek provide a unique capability in the design of innovative cooling systems for high technology products. Their cooling technology is the perfect fit for our hybrid retrofit product and is an important part of the battery technology fabric. We have worked closely together to produce a world beating solution and this would not have been possible without the intimate co-operation with the Termotek development team.”

technotrans spent a very productive two days at the Engineering Design Show in Coventry last month, exhibiting some  recent cooling projects for medical, security, vehicle and other engineering applications.  The stand displayed small scale systems featuring micro compressors and the new range of 19" rack laser chillers. It is keen to work with other design engineers to meet their specific temperature control issues. The group also offers refrigeration engineer services and manuals publishing products.