Efficient Drivetrains, Inc. (EDI) is partnering with Greenkraft to develop a Class-4 truck that runs on compressed natural gas (CNG) and incorporates a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

The project will fit EDI’s multi-mode PHEV powertrain (EDI-Drive) to Greenkraft’s CNG-powered, 14,500-pound, Class-4 medium-duty truck, which is equipped with a 6.0 L GM engine. The new beast is projected to have a 40-mile all-electric range.

EDI received a $900,000 grant from the California Energy Commission for the project, which includes design, manufacturing, testing/validation, and demonstration. Goals of the project include improving thermal efficiency by 29% compared to the existing CNG-powered truck; and tripling the miles per gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) figure from approximately 9 miles per GGE to 27.

The EDI-Drive system automatically adapts to operate as a pure EV, as a series hybrid suited for stop-and-go city traffic conditions, or as a parallel hybrid optimized for the highway. The inline form factor is designed to allow the drivetrain to be integrated into any light-, medium- or heavy-duty vehicle design.

To accommodate charging throughout the day, the CNG-PHEV will be equipped with an intelligent onboard charging system that can determine the power capability of any standard plug automatically. It will carry adapter plugs and an extension cord, helping to ensure that the CNG-PHEV can charge at any standard industrial outlet.

Source: Efficient Drivetrains & Green Car Congress