Efficient Drivetrains Inc. (EDI), a California-based provider of zero-emissions electric and plug-in drivetrain solutions, has announced the expansion of its EDI PowerDrive product family to include a heavy-duty offering suitable for Class-8 vehicle applications.
The new powertrain line, the EDI PowerDrive 8000 series, will be available in the first half of 2018 in both all-electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) options. The company has confirmed multiple customer contracts and its initial OEM partner, with the first programs integrating the EDI PowerDrive 8000 to be delivered in mid-2018.
EDI says the announcement builds on its successful medium-duty EDI PowerDrive 6000 and 7000 series, available today on OEM platforms such as Freightliner, Peterbilt, Blue Bird Bus, Shaanxi and Thomas Built Bus. The company will be offering its EDI PowerDrive 8000 series as an electrification kit and developer support program for OEMs looking to bring heavy-duty electrified vehicle offerings to market and comply with impending emissions-reductions requirements.
According to the company, initial solutions will include the 100+ mile all-electric drivetrain for zero-emissions short-range logistics, port drayage and freight applications. Meanwhile, the company says the range-extended plug-in hybrid version delivers 35+ miles of electric driving and a 300+ mile series-parallel hybrid driving range before refueling is required, and it is well suited for longer-haul logistics and freight applications. OEMs can also further customize their vehicle solutions with EDI’s Electric Power Export (EDI Power2E) option – the capability to export a range of power directly from the vehicle for use in disaster recovery, tool operation, and V2G applications.
“The heavy-duty trucking industry is experiencing a sea change – largely driven by an urgent need to reduce emissions,” says Joerg Ferchau, CEO of EDI. “Although heavy-duty applications are the most technically challenging, they are also the highest priority for reducing emissions and improving air quality today. EDI continues to be intently focused on creating practical solutions for today’s vehicle OEMs so that fleet operators can meet new requirements while being able to maintain their business operations.”