Monday, November 19, 2012

First Compact, Inline, Triple-Function, Plug-In Vehicle Drivetrain Launched by EDI

Efficient Drivetrains Inc.

The All-in-One Drivetrain Functions in Two Hybrid and Two Pure Electric Modes

PALO ALTO, CA--(Marketwire - November 19, 2012) - Efficient Drivetrains, Inc. (EDI), a global leader in advanced, high-efficiency PHEV and CVT solutions, today announced it has completed the development and initial functional testing of the world's first Parallel-Series-Electric powertrain system that is less complex, more efficient, less costly, and lighter than the competition.

The new EDI drivetrain, which incorporates components from GM, A123, and UQM, was integrated into a light-duty GM pickup truck to create the demonstrator vehicle. The drivetrain, which is scalable to light, medium, and heavy-duty applications, utilizes no power split gears and features special clutching systems.

EDI designed the drivetrain in an inline form factor to make it highly adaptable to existing front engine, rear wheel drive vehicles, reducing the need to make significant changes to existing vehicle designs.

"For manufacturers and consumers alike, this is the most adaptable automatic vehicle drivetrain in the world, and the vehicle has performed extremely well in initial testing," said Joerg Ferchau, Co-founder and CEO of EDI. "It's scalable, less complex, and lighter than the competition. When conditions warrant, it can operate as either a pure EV for trips around the neighborhood, or as a Series Hybrid, optimum for stop-and-go city traffic conditions, or as an efficient Parallel Hybrid that is ideal for the highway. It also features an EV+ Mode for hill climbing and added acceleration."

EDI has created a new, second-generation PHEV concept. It has higher overall efficiency than its predecessors, featuring a larger battery pack and a motor system that incorporates fewer parts and smaller, more efficient gasoline/bio-fuel engines. To further increase efficiency, an EDI Turbo-generator system can make it the most efficient powertrain in the world, for a given power. 

"We've taken a lot of complexity out of the PHEV side of the equation," said Professor Andy Frank, Co-founder and CTO of EDI. "And because it has an Inline form factor it is highly adaptable to existing front engine, rear wheel drive vehicles, thus reducing the need for significant existing vehicle design changes."

The drivetrain has been in development since early 2011. The concept leverages EDI IP in the area of hybrid drivetrain design and controls, and has also generated new IP, which will be covered in several new patent applications. Vehicle product testing and refinement will continue over the next quarter.

"This is the simplest, most elegant, most efficient design possible to capture the three basic modes of vehicle operation," said Ken Baker, CEO of TechBroker LLC, EDI Advisory Board member, and GM EV-1 creator. "This goes a long way to proving EDI and their technology as a viable option for industry, as well as commercial partners."

EDI will soon announce its first commercial contract to implement the system into a full size, heavy-duty bus project in China, and is also in discussions with multiple OEM truck manufacturers and upfitters at the current time.

About EDI:

Efficient Drivetrains, Inc. (EDI) develops and markets a range of state-of-the-art proprietary drivetrain products and technologies that have direct application in PHEVs, HEVs, and BEVs worldwide. EDI's leading edge hybrid electric drivetrain systems and technologies provide significant cost and efficiency advantages for parallel and series hybrid drivetrain architectures across nearly all platform classes and configurations. In addition, EDI has developed a game-changing technology for new types of continuously variable transmissions (CVT) that are the most efficient and largest capacity transmissions of their type in the industry today. EDI is currently active in automotive projects throughout North America and the APAC region. More information about EDI is available at http://www.efficientdrivetrains.com

EDI (Efficient Drivetrains, Inc.)
Company Contact:
Jeanne Cox
Phone: +1-650-888-0451
Email:
jcox@efficientdrivetrains.com

 

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