Torotrak plc announced that Wrightbus has exhibited its prototype bus fitted with the Flybrid KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) application at the Cenex Low Carbon Vehicle (LCV) exhibition. Wrightbus estimates a five year operator payback for the technology, and exhibiting the KERS-equipped bus at the Cenex LCV show marks a major step forward in the development programme. The KERS technology, which could reduce bus operators' fuel bills by up to 15%, is progressing to public service trials.

Following a successful validation programme, the new Flybrid bus KERS, developed by Torotrak, will enter service with Arriva in the autumn. The bus displayed at the event is the first customer bus from Arriva to be fitted with the KERS system and will be the first fully mechanical hybrid bus to travel on a public service route in the UK. As part of the project with Wrightbus, Torotrak has also developed a highly accurate route simulation tool which enables operators to calculate the potential savings on various routes using the Flybrid system.

This has been validated by extensive testing using the industry standard duty cycles at Millbrook Proving Ground. Operators can also expect further savings from the purely mechanical system, which uses no high voltages and is designed for the full service life of the bus. With no additional training costs and low lifetime maintenance, Torotrak believes resale values for these Flybrid-equipped vehicles will also remain high.