Niche Vehicle Network

Feasibility Study: Range Extension & Improved Efficiency / 2021

Niche Vehicle Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powertrain

VIRITECH LTD

Assessing the feasibility of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powertrains for Niche Vehicle applications for 200kW-400kW peak outputs including Hydrogen storage, Electrical energy store, Vehicle control unit, E-Machine & Inverter choice as well packaging optimisation

Feasibility Study: Range Extension & Improved Efficiency / 2021

Replacing chassis element with Structural battery housing with integrated cooling

GREAT BRITISH SPORTS CARS LIMITED

Great British Sports Cars Limited in Boughton, Nottinghamshire are undertaking desktop research and preliminary investigation in order to establish the feasibility of applying composite materials to a niche automotive electric vehicle (EV) application within our GBS Zero.

Removing existing steel and aluminum structure from the front chassis, replacing it with a composite structure incorporating battery housing whilst investigating integrated cooling systems. Testing this material characterisation for minimum mass, anticipated to lead to significant weight savings over a conventional chassis and battery housing arrangement which is expected to lead to vehicle range improvements and subsequently lowering of overall manufacturing costs.

Feasibility Study: Range Extension & Improved Efficiency / 2021

Lightweight Electric CALLUM ATV

PROJECT FOUR DESIGN LIMITED

CALLUM propose to carry out a feasibility study into the creation of a new all-electric ATV, incorporating a number of novel and innovative lightweight and aerodynamic improving technologies to create a product that not only equals but betters the performance attributes of the ICE dominated ATVs on the market.

Feasibility Study: Range Extension & Improved Efficiency / 2021

Vision-Based Vehicle Control for Optimal eHGV Regen Braking on Varied Road Gradients

CREATION LABS AI LTD

Hypermile is developing the world's first end-to-end AI-powered ADAS for eHGV to extend range by up to 30%. Current electric trucks only have a range ~300km and can carry ~1/3 of its diesel counterparts. Our innovation aims to address the issues by improving the driving behaviours as there is a 35% energy usage gap between worst and best drivers. This is particularly important for eHGV, frequently accentuated by choices around regenerative braking. Project aims to identify energy efficiency gains, using computer vision, for eHGVs driving on roads with gradients, comparing performance of the system to an average driver.

Feasibility Study: Range Extension & Improved Efficiency / 2021

Land Rover EV Retrofit Stage 1 - Feasibility

PHOENIX ELECTRIC VEHICLES LIMITED

PhoenixEV will offer a solution for the conversion of restored Land Rover Defender 110 and 130 vehicles, retaining the original off and on-road ability of the platform. The entirety of the system will be compliant to new vehicle standards and developed to the highest safety standards of the current market. All components will be new and, where possible, UK sourced.

In addition, PhoenixEV will explore new methods of finance facilitating adoption of the product.

The ultimate aim will be to export classic British design, craftsmanship and modern technology to the rest of the world, creating new jobs and industry growth.

Early Stage R&D / 2021

Adaptable EV Conversion Kit

GINETTA RESEARCH LIMITED

This early-stage R&D project will develop an adaptable Electric Vehicle conversion kit, designed to fulfil the requirements of specialist converters of ICE vehicles. It will also provide a suitable solution for new build vehicles including the G40-R EV. The project will build on the innovative PowerPod Battery Pack Production readiness project completed by Brace Technology and scale up the technology from its original intended use within motorbikes and small L-Cat vehicles. Ginetta Cars will bring their expertise in vehicle design and development aside Raceway Motorsport’s manufacturing and testing expertise for the vehicle conversion.

Early Stage R&D / 2021

FlexiMod: Highly Flexible Battery Module for Black Cab EV Retrofit and Other Niche Vehicles

ELECTRON GARAGE LTD

A highly flexible, liquid-cooled battery module shall be created that supports multiple series-parallel configurations for a wide range of niche vehicle applications. The first shall be a working prototype of an affordable, fully electric retrofit for the TX4 taxi, using British-made cells, BMS and HV junction box. The vehicle shall have >50kW rapid charging capability and a range of 120+ miles per charge. Chassis reuse mitigates approximately 10 tonnes of CO2, whilst performance shall exceed that of today’s market-leading plug-in hackney carriages. A 58% reduction in purchase cost vs a new vehicle shall enable more drivers to electrify their taxi.

Early Stage R&D / 2021

High strength low density material integration into an EV Battery

TRELLEBORG ROCHDALE LIMITED

A skilled team consisting of Trelleborg’s applied technologies operation in Rochdale, Far-UK, Engenuity and Great British Sports Cars are applying novel syntactic composite materials to a niche automotive electric vehicle (EV) application. A dual role assembly to form a battery enclosure, and the front-end structure of a sports car will be developed by creation of a suitable material system, precise material characterisation, and finite element analysis optimisation for minimum mass. Significant weight savings over a conventional separate metallic chassis and battery housing arrangement will lead to vehicle range improvements, rationalisation of part count and subsequently lowering of overall manufacturing costs.

Early Stage R&D / 2021

Development of transaxle powertrain for electric pedal-assist quadricycle.

INTRA DRIVE LTD

E-cargo trikes and quadricycles designed primarily as last mile delivery vehicles, utilise standard e-bike powertrain components, combined creatively. However, these components were not designed for these heavier duty applications, where durability is paramount.

This project will establish the technical and commercial feasibility of a fully integrated transaxle powertrain for EAV’s electric pedal-assist cargo quadricycle.

A prototype vehicle will be built, based on Intra Drive’s innovative 8 speed gearbox & motor unit, with increased motor torque, and modified to incorporate a differential. A transaxle arrangement simplifies installation, and reduces maintenance/OPEX: making ultra-low carbon transport more affordable and dependable.

Innovative Charging R&D / 2021

Rural Transport E-Shelter

RURAL DESIGN CENTRE LIMITED

Small towns and rural communities are not currently well served in terms of EV charging infrastructure. We aim to support those rural communities by developing an innovative, safe, user-centric charging and access point for e-bike hire and e-cargo bikes, powered by on-site renewable energy. We aim to encourage the uptake of e-bikes and e-cargo bikes for use around small rural towns and nearby villages.