Tuesday 29 November 2016

Torotrak to fit KERS into Caterpillar wheel loader

Torotrak has secured funding to fit KERS technology into a wheel loader programme in collaboration with Caterpillar Inc. of Peoria, Illinois.
To all intents and purposes, Torotrak, a leading developer and supplier of emissions reduction and fuel efficiency technology for internal combustion engine, hybrid and all electric powered vehicles, appears to have side-lined its CVT/IVT work in preference to giving prominence to V-Charge and KERS – kinetic energy recovery system. In a statement today Torotrak gives no mention of Allison Transmissions Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana.
In its latest half-year results, Torotrak claims its V-Charge technology has exceeded expectations in on-engine performance and responsiveness. A Ford Focus demonstrator has successfully completed test drives with 12 OEMs and six Tier 1s, generating strong interest.
The company claims it is “on track” to complete a second demonstrator vehicle, a Ford S-MAX fitted with V-Charge enabled 1-litre three-cylinder engine replacing a 1.5-litre four- cylinder engine.
Added to which “significant interest” is being shown by multiple global OEMs and Tier 1s in V-Charge technology.
As to its Flybrid KERS technology, Torotrak has launched the technology in off-highway machines having secured funding for a wheel loader programme in collaboration with Caterpillar Inc.
Again, the company boats that it is “on track” to license KERS into the global off-highway market. Once more it fails to define the meaning of its words “on track” nor is there any further mention of UK construction equipment maker JCB.
However, it does emphasis that there is a “high level” of interest by multiple OEMs in hydraulically-connected energy recovery systems ('ERS') for excavators, wheel loaders and other off-highway machines.
Torotrak’s cash balance of £7.9 million is “in line” with management's expectations for the half year. Perhaps it should have used the words “on track”.


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