The UK’s Viritech has announced plans to team up Reaction Engines to support the development of more efficient powertrains for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Reaction Engines is a developer of thermal management technology.
Its technology was originally developed for hybrid air-breathing rocket engines to quench airflow temperatures of over 1000˚C to ambient in a fraction of a second.
In 2019, Reaction Engines launched its Applied Technologies division to bring its compact and lightweight thermal management to other sectors, including automotive.
Viritech launched the Apricale hydrogen hypercar at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Using the Apricale as its primary development platform, Viritech is creating a family of hydrogen powertrain solutions with immediate applications in areas where power, range and weight are critical, such as high-performance cars, heavy transport, and aviation.
Timothy Lyons, CEO of Viritech, says: “We are excited by the speed at which Viritech is gaining recognition across the automotive industry for its groundbreaking advances in hydrogen powertrain technologies. Today’s announcement of this important MOU with Reaction Engines demonstrates how we are also working increasingly with leading British companies to cement the UK’s position as the go-to supplier of hydrogen technologies for global OEMs and Tier-1s.”
Matt Faulks, CTO of Viritech, comments: “We are delighted to be working with Reaction Engines. I see their technology as a key enabler for improving fuel cell thermal systems and I look forward to realising the benefits this can bring to our range of powertrain products and in the Apricale hypercar.”
Tom Burvill, Director for Applied Technologies at Reaction Engines, adds: “We are thrilled to be working with Viritech on such a pioneering project that should pave the way for more efficient zero-emission powertrains across the automotive sector. It’s a great example of how we can leverage our unique thermal management technology to help decarbonise this industry.”
Viritech is based at the MIRA Technology Park in Warwickshire, in the UK.
