A HAWKESBURY Upton-based engineering company is delighted to have received its second government grant for the development of its unique low emissions internal combustion engine.

Never a day goes by without bad press concerning diesel engines, but the Covaxe model uses a novel engine architecture and combustion cycle that promises significant reductions in the nitrous oxides and particulates emitted by more conventional diesel types.

The grant comes from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and is administered by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) based at Warwick University.

The APC is a joint collaboration between government, the automotive industry and other innovators and producers of low carbon propulsion systems. It facilitates partnerships between those who have good low carbon propulsion ideas and those who can bring them to market, and helps them access funding.

In addition to APC, Covaxe has already had some Innovate UK funding and in September a German investor took equity in the company.

William Fairney, the founder and MD of Covaxe said: “The company is initially targeting generator sets, hybrid-electric and heavy vehicles, including the truck and coach sectors.  There is also interest in applications in powertrains for fast boats and the lighter end of aviation.

"Working with an established engine design company and scientists in industry and academia, Covaxe is rapidly progressing towards a working technology demonstrator in 2018 to prove the benefits of the engine. Interest has been shown not only in the UK and Germany, but also by companies in France and Hungary.”

Nigel Vaughan, project director at Covaxe said: “This is a very exciting project. 

"If we can demonstrate that our engine provides the step change improvement in emissions and fuel consumption that the science predicts, and if we can deliver durability and cost that are commensurate with current conventional engines, then I am convinced that Covaxe will be successful. 

"Our challenge is to demonstrate these things.  The APC programme is certainly a major contributor to our progress.” 

For further information about Covaxe and its engine, contact william@fairdiesel.co.uk, nigel@fairdiesel.co.uk, or call 01454 238 553, or 07747 837 754.