The awards are an initiative of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) which celebrate outstanding and innovative practice in reducing road transport emissions. Williams Hybrid Power established a partnership with Go-Ahead Group in March 2012 and it was this partnership that was submitted as a case study for the category of Low Carbon Innovation by an SME.
This 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, this technology has since been adapted for a range of public transport applications and other motorsport series such as endurance racing. The technology appealed to the judging panel because of the 20% fuel efficiency savings on offer and attractive installation costs, a combination which has the potential to see mass market hybridisation of public transport become a tangible reality.
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."
Speaking about the award Frank Thorpe, Head of Bus Systems for Williams Hybrid Power, commented; ''Our partnership with Go-Ahead is truly unique and is seeing two leading British companies come together and share their resources in a bid to reduce carbon emissions on Britain's roads. This award is a great honour and validates the hard work of both companies to produce a number of hybrid buses. Energy efficiency is an important issue for Williams and initiatives such as this demonstrates how Formula One based technology can play a key role in helping to tackle an important global issue.
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