Led · Equity · Jan 2013

Vantage Power manufactures hybrid powertrains for buses, supplying systems for new vehicles and retrofitting existing diesel buses. Its retrofit systems can convert four traditional diesel buses into fuel-efficient hybrids for the cost of one new bus. All hybrid systems include advanced remote control and telemetry to help operators streamline fleet management, maintenance, fuel economy and emissions. The company plans to use the new funds to further develop its technology and to hire engineering, manufacturing, sales and C-level professionals to scale the business. Founded in 2011 by Alexander Schey and Toby Schulz, Vantage Power is headquartered in Greenford, West London and employs about 40 team members. The company has raised £6.5m of equity investment and over £1m of grant funding to date. Vantage Power has developed the B320 hybrid powertrain system designed to be retrofitted into the UK’s most popular double-decker buses, enabling operators to hybridise existing fleets. The system includes an exhaust gas energy recovery subsystem, which the company says is a novel fuel-saving approach for hybrid-electric powertrains. Vantage Power claims the B320 can cut bus fuel consumption by about 40%, reduce fuel bills by 50%, and lower upfront and through-life costs by up to 55% and 40% respectively. The company plans to develop and commercialise the drivetrain and test it on double-decker buses across the UK, working with partners such as the Ensign Bus Company. Founders Alexander Schey and Toby Schulz bring prior EV experience, including the Racing Green Endurance electric supercar project. Vantage Power is a graduate of the Qi3 Accelerator High Value Manufacturing bootcamp and has industry investors and technical partners supporting its launch.