By 2035, or perhaps even sooner, it will not be possible to buy petrol or diesel cars in the UK. Most vehicles will be electric (EVs). Mainstream customers in the near future will want fast charging and we need to get to 200 miles on a 10 minute charge if EVs are to be as convenient as today's vehicles. The technology is on its way and manufacturers of cars, batteries and charging points are working to bring them to market. All of this could be held up if the UK and world's electricity infrastructure is not boosted to cope. The problem is who pays to upgrade the grid? We must electrify transport as fast as possible but the electrical infrastructure costs could be anywhere from £16 billion (UK Commons report) to £45 billion (Capital Economics report). We are developing an innovative, mechanical energy storage technology specifically to boost power for the current and next generation of fast charge electric vehicles. Located near EV charging points, our product charges from the grid when there are no cars. When a fast charge EV vehicle arrives, the energy is discharged into the car quickly and the driver can be on their way. Rather than upgrade the entire national grid at once, our technology allows a "spot" reinforcement of the electricity network for fast-charge EVs just where needed. This is critical to allow an as-needed, scalable and cost-effective solution, rather than huge infrastructure investments that are politically fraught, difficult to commit to and hold back progress. Fast charge EVs cannot just be available for people in big cities with good infrastructure. Our product addresses the need to be able to upgrade the power network in rural and other locations that will never attract large capital investments. The success of EVs, and meeting the climate challenge, requires a fast, cost effective and widespread an implementation as possible. Gyrotricity is creating a highly innovative, new product, uniquely designed to solve a huge problem in preparation for the biggest transport revolution in over a century. Working with UK universities to ensure we build a world-leading technology, we have created something environmentally friendly, safe, efficient and cost effective that will accelerate Britain's transition to emission-free transport.

This proposal is to roll out a series of innovative, electric vehicle, Flywheel Fast Charging Stations (FFCS) across the UK Strategic Road Network. As well as providing rapid charging for Highways England’s own fleet, this energy system will position Highways England at the leading edge of advanced fast charging technology for the future generation of 150kW+ chargers to fast charge high-demand cars and lorries. As more FFCS are installed, their fast storage capacity can then be integrated as part of a distributed grid to allow Highways England to manage their national power demands, incorporate renewable energy, lower their carbon footprint, improve sustainability and reduce the demand on the national grid. The use of flywheels, or ‘kinetic energy storage’ specifically addresses super fast energy transfer to compliment baseload energy supplied by the grid, batteries, etc. They are ideal to build charge slowly when idle and then dump that energy at high speed into an EV at a much lower cost than batteries and with no thermal problems, no fire risk, very long life and easy recyclability. Gyrotricity is developing breakthrough flywheel performance that addresses traditional safety, cost and power loss issues. Working with centres of research excellence at a number of UK universities, Gyrotricity is ensuring that the best technology available in the UK will go into a world leading product that addresses the next phase of roading electrification and power management.