Propulsion systems engineering

Over a century of propulsion design and development

Deploying innovative simulation, model and test based approaches to increase product efficiency and robustness, whilst reducing development cost and time for our global clients. 

De-Risking Propulsion System Development

De-risk propulsion system development, with our unrivalled expertise. Our proven solutions and strategic support help our customers reduce the time and cost of R&D.

Design Engineering
Speed to market

Deliver your propulsion system programme at speed and without the need to invest heavily in R&D and building specialist teams.

Sustainable Engines 
Mitigate risk

OEMs and suppliers trust Ricardo expertise to help mitigate the risks of propulsion system R&D with our proven customisable solutions.

Propulsion system solutions

Proven propulsion system solutions developed for your application's requirements.

Fuel Cell Cut Out

Multi-stack fuel cell systems

Accelerate your product development with our high-power density multi-stack fuel cell system solutions.

Alumotor

Electric powertrain

Working with the world’s leading automakers, suppliers and industry regulatory bodies, we provide unparalleled expertise in vehicle electrification.

Electrified propulsion systems

Our strategic and technical experts define future technologies to ensure sustainable, scalable solutions for our global customers. 
We help global vehicle manufacturers to innovate and improve the efficiency and performance of their products to bring them to market quicker without compromising safety or quality.  

We specialise in multi-stack fuel cell system design and integration including bespoke balance of plant fuel cell systems. We provide battery design and development, specialising in thermal management and cooling for safer, faster charging. We offer power electronics development including inverters, DCDC converters, on-board chargers and electrical propulsion systems and sub-system development.

Our suite of solutions are complimented by our software-based services including functional safety analysis, transmission control software libraries, and smart emissions control solutions to help with improved fuel economy and air quality.

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Ev Car Plug In

Electrified propulsion systems capabilities

Our experts deliver innovative hybrid and electric battery pack solutions. We design, build, and integrate battery technology bespoke to their requirements of our clients.

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Working with the world’s leading automakers, suppliers and industry regulatory bodies, we provide unparalleled expertise in vehicle hybridisation and electrification.

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Ricardo has developed the Connected Battery Management System (BMS) to significantly benefit OEMs and fleet operators by allowing them to manage battery health across all their vehicles.

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Testing and development solutions for rapid product development of hydrogen fuel cell solutions.

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Discover our class-leading platform for bespoke inverter solutions capable of over 98.5% efficiency and impressive power density.

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Ricardo delivers a range of world-class, fully integrated services for driveline and transmission systems, including design, development, and niche manufacture.

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Turn-key solutions for power electronics supporting the next generation of decarbonised mobility.

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Fully assembled and integrated bespoke electric drive unit (EDU) solutions for niche volume vehicle applications.

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Experts in delivering innovative system engineering and integration solutions towards a safe and sustainable future.

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Unleash 48% more peak power and benefit from 40% faster peak charge rate with our revolutionary immersion cooled battery solutions. 

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Transmission and driveline

Ricardo offers world-class, fully integrated capabilities for driveline and transmission system design, development and production. 

We support the decarbonisation of transport through the integration of electrification systems (hybrid and BEV) in high performance applications and other high complexity drivelines.

Our experienced engineers offer extensive experience, from cost-optimised manual transmissions to advanced high performance automatic systems. 

We use tools and processes refined over a century of propulsion design and development experience to enable faster design and validation of efficient propulsion systems and reduced whole life costs.

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Transmission Closeup

Transmission and driveline systems capabilities

We are experts in the establishing flexible and stable product assembly operations which output complex products to help our clients achieve their premium product aspirations.

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Ricardo delivers a range of world-class, fully integrated services for driveline and transmission systems, including design, development, and niche manufacture.

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Ricardo engineers have developed leading edge simulation and analysis methods to create bespoke solutions that reduce product development time and cost, from rapid cloud-based architecture screening through to virtual calibration and validation approaches.

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Delivering bespoke hardware and software calibration programs for OEMs and tier 1 suppliers.

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Ricardo's precision manufacturing capability is well positioned to provide fast turnaround, high quality, torque path components for use in high performance markets. 

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Ricardo’s transmission control software provides a quick, proven, and low-risk route to develop transmission systems for OEMs and suppliers which is flexible to their requirements.

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Decarbonised ICE

Hydrogen offers a viable decarbonisation solution for transportation and Ricardo is supporting clients in this transition to hydrogen propulsion.

We offer testing and development solutions for rapid product development of hydrogen and decarbonised ICE solutions. Our purpose-built hydrogen facility has a broad range of functionality suitable for different applications including heavy-duty solutions. 

We support clients throughout the complete development process, from initial concept to design, validation and certification. Our ICE and Calibration experts are actively working on hydrogen and other sustainable fuels within the transportation sectors from small single cylinder to large bore engines for various market sectors including automotive, rail, maritime, industrial and aerospace.

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Stagecoach Hydrogen Bus

Decarbonised ICE capabilities

Delivering bespoke hardware and software calibration programs for OEMs and tier 1 suppliers.

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Innovative product engineering solutions for a wide range of applications and market sectors.

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Expertise in internal combustion engine design, development, build, calibration and international compliance.

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Ricardo engineers have developed leading edge simulation and analysis methods to create bespoke solutions that reduce product development time and cost, from rapid cloud-based architecture screening through to virtual calibration and validation approaches.

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Full-service vehicle emissions testing for ICE, HEV and EV powertrains and fluid products enabling emissions control and performance optimisation.

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Testing and development solutions for rapid product development of hydrogen ICE and hydrogen fuel cell solutions.

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Full-service ICE testing and development for a range of industries and sectors, from passenger vehicle to marine transportation.

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Accelerate your product development with our high-power density multi-stack fuel cell system solutions.

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Special vehicle build

Our dedicated special vehicles team support the rapid realisation of prototype, demonstrators and ultra low volume vehicles. 

Ricardo offers systems optimisation, design upgrades of existing platforms and complete clean sheet vehicle design, development and manufacture.

We are able to accelerate the development process and reduce time to market for projects in electrification, hydrogen and vehicle integration.

These highly customised, special vehicle programmes are suited for special commercial, defence and police applications. Ricardo offers a complete service from conceptualisation, to engineering to product adaption and delivery as well as though-life support.

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Ford Ranger Adaption

Special vehicle capabilities

Our experts deliver innovative hybrid and electric battery pack solutions. We design, build, and integrate battery technology bespoke to their requirements of our clients.

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Expertise in internal combustion engine design, development, build, calibration and international compliance.

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Delivering functional technology demonstrators to prototype special vehicle builds.

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Supporting clients with turnkey delivery programmes to support increasing production volumes and entering additional market sectors with new and diverse product offerings. 

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Innovative product engineering solutions for a wide range of applications and market sectors.

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Ricardo engineers have developed leading edge simulation and analysis methods to create bespoke solutions that reduce product development time and cost, from rapid cloud-based architecture screening through to virtual calibration and validation approaches.

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Ricardo delivers systems integration solutions to aid clients with this critical stage in vehicle development.

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We deliver the adaptions of commercially available wheeled vehicles to meet client specified roles and requirements for specialised industry applications.

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Propulsion systems engineering

Markets

Propulsion systems engineering

Services

Ricardo delivers a range of assurance and testing services across a variety of industries.

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Find out more about our expert automotive testing solutions at our state-of-the-art facilities.

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Find out more about our expert testing solutions at our state-of-the-art facilities.

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Ricardo provides impartial evidence and analysis underpinning environmental policymaking throughout the policy life cycle.

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Ricardo specialise in high-performance, niche volume manufacturing and assembly for complex, precision, electromechanical products and offer world-class industrialisation consultancy

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We are experts in the establishing flexible and stable product assembly operations which output complex products to help our clients achieve their premium product aspirations.

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Prototype builds and vehicle adaption services for special vehicle platforms.

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As a leading industrial and manufacturing expert, we provide a world-class industrialisation consultancy service to help our clients manufacture their complex and innovative products.

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Precision manufacture of complex mechanical components for engines and transmissions for high performance and specialised applications delivered in low volumes.

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Ricardo's strategic consultancy services enables our clients to navigate complexity in a disrupted world.

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Ricardo's strategic consultancy offering enables our clients to navigate complexity in a disrupted world.

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Ricardo offers world-class technical consulting services to enable our customers to get the most from their products and services in the energy, transportation and manufacturing sectors.

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We can support your organisation with scientifically robust and high quality approaches to energy transition to deliver you value across a wide range of areas.

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Operations and maintenance services to ensure that our clients' programmes are delivered with excellence.

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Technical insights and analysis from Ricardo experts.

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Learn more about our leading engineering, design and design services.

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Our expert team support businesses with bespoke software solutions and stable software libraries for development programs.

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The most advanced equipment and capabilities in the world can become ineffective without appropriate in-service support solutions.

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Experts in delivering innovative system engineering and integration solutions towards a safe and sustainable future.

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Discover our case studies

BMW Group - Industry leading vehicle footprint disclosure project

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Accessing the market and technologies for methanol internal combustion engines

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Initial assessment of the drivers and barriers to using sustainable fuels

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Discover our latest news

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How technology can drive decarbonisation in recreational maritime

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Off Highway Vehicle

Navigating the complexity of choice for off highway sustainable fuels

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Chemical safety training to enable hydrogen buses to operate safely garners Exceptional Customer Experience Award at Ricardo Leading Lights

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Meet the experts

Richard Osborne

Richard Osborne

Global Technical Expert – Sustainable Engines

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Gareth Milton BW

Dr Gareth Milton

Control Function Lead

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Tim Bassett

Tim Bassett

Head of Test

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Trevor Downes

Trevor Downes

Chief Engineer, Engines and Emissions Control

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