UK – Birmingham-based manufacturer of cooling and HVAC products, Grayson Thermal Systems*, continues to lead innovation in vehicle temperature control as the commercial vehicle industry accelerates its shift to zero-emission mobility. With over 40 years of expertise in thermal management, the company is promoting a new generation of electrified products designed to support OEMs and integrators across heavy-duty, off-highway, and stationary power applications.

T&BB spoke to Matthew Hateley, Head of European Sales and Marketing at Grayson, who told us that Grayson’s latest innovation is its expanded line of high-voltage PTC electric water heaters, now covering an impressive 250VDC to 900VDC operating range. According to Hateley, these new EW-Series heaters represent a major leap forward from the company’s previous resistive models. Featuring Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) technology and CAN-based variable control, they provide efficient, intelligent heating in a compact, lightweight package.

“These next-generation heaters offer global compatibility and are suitable for both 12V and 24V systems, making them adaptable to a wide range of vehicle platforms and operating environments,” Hateley explained. “We’ve engineered them for integration into both OEM builds and retrofit applications, ensuring fleet-wide flexibility.”

Unlike conventional heating solutions, the EW-Series units are designed not just for standalone deployment but also as core components of Grayson’s Complete Thermal Management Systems (CTMS). The CM-Series CTMS, set for launch later this year, is already being trialled in several electrification projects, including a collaboration with Australian technology company, Applied EV**. The upcoming RM-Series CTMS will debut at Busworld, with additional updates expected at RTX in June.

Hateley told us that the company’s heating and cooling technologies are especially relevant as demand rises for battery preconditioning in electric vehicles, particularly in colder climates. Efficient battery thermal management is critical for performance, longevity, and safety. The new PTC heaters enable this by warming coolant circuits during start-up, maintaining optimal battery temperatures regardless of external conditions.

They also offer a cost-effective alternative to heat pump systems, particularly where peak efficiency is not the primary concern. In hybrid configurations, Grayson integrates its PTC heaters with heat pumps to enhance coefficient of performance (COP) at sub-zero temperatures.

Complementing these developments, Grayson continues to invest in electric water pumps, lightweight aluminium radiators, and modular fan systems, technologies that have evolved since the company’s pioneering Euro IV-era cooling systems. These solutions are widely used across buses, coaches, and specialist vehicles throughout Europe and North America.

As the market shifts toward decarbonisation, Grayson’s strategy is clear: provide scalable, efficient, and fully integrated thermal systems that enable cleaner, smarter mobility.

*Grayson Thermal Systems is a UK-based company specialising in the design, manufacture, and supply of advanced thermal management systems. Their product range includes driveline cooling, heating, and air conditioning solutions tailored for various vehicle industries such as bus and coach, rail, off-highway, and commercial vehicles.

**Applied EV is an Australian technology company specialising in autonomous electric vehicle platforms. Founded in 2015 by Julian Broadbent and Shane Ambry, the company focuses on developing software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and control systems for commercial applications such as logistics, mining, and industrial automation. Their flagship technologies include the Digital Backbone™, a central control system for autonomous vehicles, and the Blanc Robot™, a modular, driverless electric vehicle platform designed for various commercial uses.