Formula One technical regulations introduced KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems) in 2009. Of the many systems investigated, the electrically driven high speed composite flywheel proved itself to be a very cost effective system for capturing and reusing large amounts of electrical power. The system, originally developed by the Williams Formula 1 team, was subsequently developed to provide a new solution for hybridising city buses. In 2014 GKN bought the Hybrid Power Company from Williams to develop the technology for mass production.

Until the Gyrodrive system became available, hybrid buses had been developed using various energy storage solutions, typically batteries or super capacitors. Both systems proved expensive and heavy and in some cases unreliable. These systems gained a reputation for failing to deliver the projected fuel savings, proved to be uneconomic, and their adoption was driven by political pressure and large subsidies. The Gyrodrive system is now proven to meet the needs of the customer at cost levels that are easily recouped by the operator through fuel savings within acceptable payback terms.

The technology developed to meet the needs of the bus operator in terms of power and energy requirement is also proving to be an ideal match for other vehicles and machines that have suitable drive cycles such as the stop start nature of many delivery vehicles and refuse trucks. The technology is also scalable to fit into other systems such as Urban Light Rail and Railway.

As electric drive systems develop and become more widely accepted the needs to balance and optimise the electrical power in the system benefits from the flywheel technology in the Gyrodrive system. It supports engine downsizing to deliver more fuel savings to the benefit of inner city pollution levels. It also enables engines to operate at their most optimal conditions, delivering further benefits.

This technology will change the buses and trucks of the future making them more suited to our needs for cleaner cities, quieter streets, while providing for affordable and integrated transport.