Electric Vehicles & R&D - Quattro Plant
Quattro Group's Research and Development (R&D) department is a dedicated in-house unit focused on engineering innovation and fleet sustainability.
Based primarily at our Newton Abbot Depot in South Devon, the department operates as a hub for "Engineering Excellence" through high-level academic partnerships and bespoke machine development.
Our R&D team's work is centred on enhancing the performance, efficiency, and environmental impact of our extensive rail, road, and construction fleets. Upcycling of off highway vehicles and rail vehicles that are attractive to clients in urban low noise areas and ultra-low emission zones.
The department specialises in transforming existing machinery into unique, mission-specific tools and vehicles upcycled.
Diesel to Electric is the core focus of our Road to Zero transition and weighs heavily on Government funding as electrification without infrastructure can be considered a high risk, low reward category at time of writing as Zero Emission Aspirations are continually moved by the government bodies.
Sustainability & Emissions:
R&D is central to Quattro's goal of halving emissions by 2030. This includes trialling alternative fuels, performance emission additives, and upcycling older machinery to extend its service life. Electric vehicles require less maintenance and do not require heavy oils or diesel to be moved around to locations and are less subject to the oil price index storage or issues that come with storing large amounts of fuel and disposal of used engine oils as electric is less prone to use, leakage or being burnt off by poor combustion.
Technical Analysis:
The team conducts in-depth studies on hydraulic efficiencies, machine vibrational analysis, and fuel usage to ensure maximum operational efficiency using modern software tools and CFD for fluid motion, including convection, conduction, and turbulence of materials and gases.
Remote Condition Monitoring: Through academic sponsorships, the team develops systems for real-time monitoring of the fleet to improve maintenance and reliability.
Writing amended maintenance plans and production of in-house vehicles, Risk assessments and legislation requirements testing and verification.
Studies undertaken into component wear, heat transfer and duty cycles are recorded and analysed for motor tuning efficiency gains and product improvements.
Strategic Partnerships:
Quattro’s R&D efforts are bolstered by collaboration with academic and industry leaders:
University Sponsorships: Our Company sponsors EngD and MEng students who conduct research on fleet-specific engineering challenges. Warwick University and local suppliers based in and around the South West. Our aim is to keep the UK supply chain bolstered and if in the South West a more attractive option.
Centre for Future Clean Mobility: Quattro is a core consortium member of this Exeter Science Park facility, where they share engineering expertise with other industry leaders.
Awards:
John Carpenter Government award for innovation
KTP Merit for our work with Exeter University
Highly Commended as Rail Engineers of the year
Gold Award for outstanding project Innovate UK
Featured on Sky News, BBC news and various publications and trade magazines.
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