30 January 2013

Go-Ahead, a leading UK public transport operator, was delighted to receive an innovation award at yesterday's Low Carbon Champion Awards for its ground breaking partnership with Williams Hybrid Power.

The awards are an initiative of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) which celebrate outstanding and innovative practice in accelerating the shift to lower carbon vehicles and fuels and reducing road transport emissions.

Go-Ahead established a partnership with Williams Hybrid Power in March 2012 and the collaboration has seen the two companies work together to develop a number of hybrid buses that utilise Williams Hybrid Power's electromechanical flywheel energy storage technology. Initially developed for the 2009 Williams Formula One car, the technology appealed to the judging panel because of the potential to reduce fuel consumption by 20% on buses.

Phil Margrave, Go-Ahead Group Engineering Director said: "We are delighted that our work with Williams Hybrid Power to find ground-breaking solutions to the issues of carbon reduction and fuel efficiency has been recognised. This award is a great honour and validates the hard work of both companies. At Go-Ahead, we are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our operations and continually seek innovative ways to improve our performance."

Jonathan Murray, Deputy Director of the LowCVP and one of the awards category judges said: "Williams Hybrid Power have shown true leadership by taking Formula One technology and, working with Go-Ahead Group, applying it successfully to deliver emissions and efficiency savings in buses."

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

The Go-Ahead Group - Samantha Hodder 0207 799 8983, samantha.hodder@go-ahead.com

Williams F1 - James  Francis, 01235 777700, james.francis@williamsf1.com

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