Equipmake and Perkins partner on new off-highway hybrid vehicle project

The project’s objective is to design, develop and demonstrate an electrified, lower carbon hybrid powertrain for the global off-highway market, enabling vehicle and machinery manufacturers to accelerate their transition away from fossil fuels and deliver net zero objectives.

Equipmake has developed the e-powertrain technology, which can run on multiple lower-carbon intensity fuels such as bio-methanol, eFuels or zero-carbon fuels such as hydrogen, as an alternative to existing diesel powertrains. The heavy-duty hybrid system will also feature a bespoke-designed high torque density electric motor and inverter.

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The hybrid powertrain system can be configured to provide performance in the range of 45-250kW, depending upon application.

Through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), the government is awarding £11.14m in funding to the project, with Equipmake awarded £3.24m. Development on the system has already begun and will take 42 months, with a demonstration planned for 2027.

In a statement, Ian Foley, CEO of Equipmake, said: “We would like to thank the APC for its foresight in granting support funding for this new project, which has the potential to enable multiple global off-highway vehicle OEMs to work towards meeting net zero objectives – while at the same time creating new jobs across the supply chain.”