Efficient Drivetrains, Inc. (EDI), a global provider of high-efficiency plugin hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and continuously variable transmission (CVT) solutions, will form a high-profile partnership to develop a first-of-its-kind, Class-4 vehicle that combines the benefits of compressed natural gas (CNG) and PHEV technology.
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In partnership 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 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%.
“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.”
In certain duty cycles with shorter daily mileage requirements or where periodic plug-in recharging is possible throughout the day, it may even be possible to completely eliminate the use of CNG, achieve 100-percent all-electric zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) operations, and achieve an effective MPGe of 26.9—an improvement of 300% over the baseline CNG truck.