The question of fuel economy for the London buses is as essential as it is in Formula 1. That is why the KERS system will come to the rescue.
Within the next two years, 500 buses fitted with technology similar to that used in F1 cars will hit the streets of London. This would help to bring down pollution and save fuel.
Engineering company GKN and the British bus operator Go-Ahead Group have developed their own Gyrodrive system similar to that used in Formula 1. A high-speed flywheel made of carbon fibre captures energy as the vehicle brakes and then uses it to drive an electric motor. That would help to save more than 20 percent of fuel.
The buses will have to undergo quite a lot of testing to make sure the system works properly, but as they say, it's the first step that counts. You never know, the buses might soon feature the roaring sound of engines to bring them more in line with Formula 1 cars.
