Efficient Drivetrains, Inc. (EDI) today announced a high-profile partnership to develop a first-of-its-kind Class-4 vehicle. In alliance with Greenkraft, CALSTART, and the California Energy Commission, the collaboration supports the rapid movement in California toward a zero emissions environment.
The effort combines EDI’s intelligent plugin hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain with Greenkraft’s CNG-powered 14,500-pound, Class-4 medium-duty truck. EDI’s solution can improve the fuel economy of a conventional CNG-powered medium-duty truck by more than 40 percent.
“EDI’s CNG-PHEV is a first-of-its-kind innovation, and represents an entirely new market application for EDI’s proprietary technology,” said Joerg Ferchau, co-founder and CEO of EDI. “The CNG-PHEV delivers a market-disruptive vehicle that will help fleets switch from petroleum-based liquid fuels—gasoline and diesel—to domestically available, cleaner-burning natural gas and electricity. Technology possesses tremendous potential for commercial viability and can play an essential role in helping California meet its long-term carbon reduction and short-term zero-emissions goals.”
EDI’s announcement came simultaneously with a grant approval for the combined partnership by the California Energy Commission of funding from its Energy Research and Development Division. The unanimously approved $900,000 grant supports the state directive to accelerate research and development of advanced natural gas engine-hybrid electric vehicles for light- and heavy-duty applications.
Source: Efficient Drivetrains, Inc.
