Heritage, style, performance and emissions free – the AC Cobra Series 4–electric is an AC Superblower updated for the new world, and the latest model in the redux of an iconic marque.
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Leading electrified powertrain engineering consultancy, Drive System Design (DSD), has announced a strategic expansion of its test facilities, adding two further test cells for high-performance hybrid axles and e-machines. The move reflects a growing demand for outsourced test capacity suitable for electrified powertrains, as the industry prioritises its development in response to global emissions concerns.
The first of the new facilities can deliver input torque up to 2,500Nm at 2,100rpm, 525kW at 7,000rpm, and 350kW 1,100V of battery emulation, with the second for e-machines up to 350kW and 25,000rpm. The new cells complement existing DSD facilities, which include a 450kW highly transient ETPS machine (Engine Torque Pulse Simulator) and three battery emulators.
“The recent Covid-19 pandemic has put an ever-bigger spotlight on our environment and recent government announcements on ICE restrictions is resulting in a faster shift to electrified vehicles than first anticipated,” explains David Kelly, Director, Drive System Design. “There is a significant increase in demand globally, not only for design and development work but also for outsourced testing. The additional facilities will extend our ability to provide this for a wide range of hybrid and electric powertrains.”
According to Kelly, even the largest, established vehicle manufacturers are struggling to accommodate the upsurge in test requirements using solely in-house facilities, and the situation is likely to become even more acute in future. “We are in the middle of a sea change in the industry, as the major players allocate more of their manufacturing to electrified vehicles,” he says. “Companies like DSD can provide vital additional resource to help satisfy short-term peaks in testing demand as this change in policy takes effect.”
DSD is continually developing its automation capabilities within the facility to help speed up testing. This has proven particularly effective in the case of hot and cold environment testing. According to Kelly, tests that previously took six weeks to complete can be finished in half the time with suitably configured automatic control.
DSD intends to have the new test cells operational in December this year.
www.drivesystemdesign.com
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SYNETIQ supplies a winner to Team BRIT
Watch the build of Team BRIT’s BMW M240i race car
The long and thrilling story of one of the most iconic British sports cars is about to open a new and remarkable chapter.
One of the UK’s best-known companies, British Gas’ heritage stretches back over 200 years. Its iconic bright blue vans are a regular sight on the road, carrying thousands of Engineers between homes and businesses.
At around 11,400 vehicles, the British Gas fleet is one of the largest in the country; managing something that size comes with significant responsibilities. The business is always open to exploring new, innovative ways of working, considering everything from environmental performance to the practicalities of vehicle downtime and cost reduction.
“We’re constantly considering new initiatives to keep our engineer’s mobile whilst doing right by our customers, employees and the environment,” explains Steve Winter, Head of Fleet at British Gas, In March 2020, the business was named as Fleet of the Year at the Fleet News’ Awards, for its range of initiatives concerning vehicle downtime, driver welfare and environmental performance.
As a trusted partner SYNETIQ, the UK’s largest salvage and vehicle recycling company, plays a vital role in keeping the wheels turning. British Gas is in partnership with SYNETIQ MyGreenFleet, which delivers intelligent solutions and the compliant handling of British Gas salvage vehicles. No salvage vehicles are resold, with the shells crushed and recycled on site, ensuring they can never return to the road.
Some vehicles still contain perfectly good, non-safety-related parts – known as green parts – and these are sold back to British Gas repair partners (Hitachi and SOPP+SOPP) for re-use on its own vehicles. This simple, yet incredibly effective, process has helped British Gas save millions of pounds since it began in 2012.
“What surprises me is the number of fleets which aren’t considering the use of green parts,” says Steve. “The cost savings and environmental benefits are clearly visible in the data provided by SYNETIQ, and we’re happy with the service provided.”
SYNETIQ green parts are OEM, non-safety critical, quality-controlled parts, such as doors, bumpers, and lights, and are perfect for reuse on damaged repairable British Gas vehicles. Parts are often already painted and stickered to match and are delivered to British Gas accident/fleet management partners, using SYNETIQ MyGreenFleet inhouse logistics, within 48 hours. This means Engineers can get back on the road more quickly, and unnecessary manufacturing of new parts is reduced.
Since 2012, SYNETIQ MyGreenFleet have supplied over 1200 doors alone, for use on British Gas vehicles – saving more than 120,000kg of CO2 against comparable new doors. Over 6500 non-safety related green parts have been supplied in total, generating a truly significant saving.
Green parts are up to 70% cheaper when compared with new, OEM parts, and act as a like for like replacement. Accurate data is available to British Gas within MyGreenFleet, providing insight on cost savings, units, and performance against agreed service level agreements – such as delivery time. Use of green parts often reduces vehicle downtime, meaning Engineers can get back on the road more quickly.
Jason Cross, Client Relationship Director at SYNETIQ, says the business is proud to be trusted by British Gas. “We like saying yes,” says Jason. “We pride ourselves on removing the barriers or problems that crop up when operating such a vast fleet.”
SYNETIQ also provides ‘waste and destock’ services, where a SYNETIQ employee can empty vans of equipment and personal belongings and securely return them, disposing of any waste.
Technical equipment used by Engineers can also be transferred from one vehicle to another in the event of it switching drivers. Ladders and scales are stored securely on SYNETIQ sites, and either returned to British Gas or transferred to another vehicle. This protects valuable equipment from theft and further reduces ‘vehicle of road’ (VOR) time.
“We’re very proud to be trusted by British Gas – it means a lot to our business,” says Jason. “I’m pleased to share that Steve recently awarded us a score of ‘10’ in our recent client satisfaction survey. We’re looking forward to working with them to provide more intelligent solutions for the future.”
