British supercar manufacturer Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) and pioneering hydrogen powertrain engineers Viritech join forces to bring innovative and unique hydrogen powertrain technology to the niche vehicle market.
Viritech, developers of hydrogen powertrain technologies for the automotive, aerospace, marine and distributed power industries, have been successful in winning Niche Vehicle Network Feasibility Study Grant, funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) through the Niche Vehicle Network, and supported by Innovate UK. This funding will be used to carry out a feasibility study into developing a hydrogen powertrain for niche vehicle applications. Key elements of Viritech’s powertrains include H2 optimised energy management systems, structural pressure vessels and lightweight energy stores.
The project will be supported by world-renowned automotive innovator BAC, whose record-breaking Mono supercar will form the basis of the project which looks to bring breakthrough Hydrogen powertrain technology to the niche vehicle market, enabling the transition to zero emissions by 2030. The resulting Mono FCEV continues to be led by BAC’s principles of uncompromising performance and driver experience.
The Mono FCEV partnership with Viritech represents the latest push from BAC in reaching 2030 emissions targets, after going climate positive in 2018 and exploring lightweight materials such as Graphene and Niobium both of which provide an effective way of maximising the efficiency of future vehicles. By exploring alternate powertrain solutions for a net zero future, BAC hope to preserve the delicate balance that weight plays in a vehicle’s driving dynamics. Lightness has always been a core principle for the Mono supercar, and BAC is proud to partner with Viritech to continue this approach.
Viritech Chief Technical Officer Matt Faulks says, “working with BAC on this exciting challenge is a perfect partnership. We share a passion for automotive innovation and developing high-performance vehicles, as well as a commitment to ensuring all entities in the industry from Niche to high volume have a vibrant, zero emission future.”
Neill Briggs, BAC Co-Founder and Director of Product Development commented, “we are delighted to be working with Viritech and their ground-breaking approach to FCEV. Technology has always been at the forefront of our development, and we remain committed to exploring new automotive innovations within all that we do. Alternative fuels, along with lightweight construction methods, reduces vehicle emissions considerably without compromising driver engagement, something we are committed to preserving at BAC.”
