Equipmake, the UK-based engineering specialist pioneering the development and production of electrification products across the automotive, aerospace, bus, and coach industries, will collaborate with Perkins on a new off-highway hybrid system project.

Awarded a total of £11.14 million (US$13.6 million) in government funding through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), with Equipmake awarded £3.24 million (US$4 million), the project’s objective is to support development and demonstration of an electrified, lower carbon hybrid powertrain for the global off-highway market, enabling vehicle and machinery OEMs to accelerate their transition from fossil fuels.

Led by Perkins, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., with Equipmake providing e-powertrain technology and Loughborough University supporting through advanced engine analytics and emissions control, the project will see the design, development and demonstration of a multi-fuel drop-in hybrid powertrain, which will be an alternative to existing diesel solutions in off-highway vehicles and will support the UK and global off-highway industries to deliver net zero objectives.

Capable of running on multiple lower-carbon intensity fuels such as bio-methanol, eFuels or zero-carbon fuels such as hydrogen, the heavy-duty hybrid system will feature a bespoke-designed high torque density electric motor and inverter, alongside all associated power electronics, which will be completely designed and developed in-house by Equipmake.

The hybrid powertrain system can be configured to provide performance in the range of 45-250kW depending upon application. Development has already begun and will take 42 months. The project is expected to support new and existing jobs at Equipmake and the related supply chain.