Efficient Drivetrains Technology Featured in First-of-Its-Kind CNG-PHEV Class-4 Truck

Combines the Clean Power Benefits of Compressed Natural Gas and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Technology With Minimal Changes to the Original Vehicle

MILPITAS, CA -- Oct. 6, 2015: Efficient Drivetrains, Inc. (EDI), a global leader in advanced high-efficiency zero emissions hybrid and electric drivetrain solutions, today announced a compressed natural gas and plug-in hybrid electric Class-4 logistics truck, made possible by EDI’s innovative drivetrain technology and vehicle control software.

“We’re very excited about our new technology partnership with Efficient Drivetrains. The collaboration on zero-emissions capable vehicles will be a strong offering as the commercial trucking industry battles to reduce emissions.”

The first-of-its-kind market-disruptive vehicle will help fleets switch from petroleum-based liquid fuels to domestically available, cleaner-burning natural gas and electricity. The truck will be officially unveiled at a voice of the customer event hosted by CALSTART at the Southern California Gas Energy Resource Center on October 6.

CALSTART developed the Voice of the Customer (VOC) event for EDI, with funding from the Southern California Gas Company. Designed to give the manufacturer and supplier guidance on the powertrain concept, the VOC event and ride and drive will provide crucial user input. Before the vehicle’s unveiling, CALSTART surveyed more than 30 fleets and developed the event’s highly interactive agenda. After the event, CALSTART will manage on-road emissions and fuel economy testing of the truck. Additionally, the organization will issue follow-up user surveys to solicit helpful feedback, further accelerating the commercialization process.

News Highlights:

EDI, in partnership with Greenkraft, CALSTART and the California Energy Commission, designed and optimized an intelligent plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrain and battery pack with 40 miles of all-electric range. The EDI team integrated the optimized EDI-Drive into a Greenkraft 14,500-pound class-4 medium-duty CNG truck.

EDI’s technology effectively tripled the miles per gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) of the baseline CNG-powered truck from approximately 9 miles per GGE to 27.

The CNG-PHEV can achieve 100-percent all-electric operations and entirely eliminate the use of compressed natural gas when in EV mode.

The EDI Power Drive’s lightweight, modular, inline form allows easy optimization for a wide range of vehicle types with minimal changes to the original vehicle chassis and frame, making rapid conversions and market introductions possible.