News

UC Davis Licenses PHEV Technology To Efficient Drivetrains Inc.

November 28, 2007 by Jeff Shepard

The University of California at Davis announced that Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) technologies developed at the school have been licensed to Efficient Drivetrains Inc. (EDI). The company was co-founded in March of 2006 by Dr. Andrew Frank, a professor of mechanical and aeronautical engineering at the school, for the purpose of commercializing PHEV technologies for the global market.

Joerg Ferchau, Chief Executive Officer of EDI, commented, "After many months of discussions and evaluations, the collective teams from the university and EDI arrived at an agreement to license the university’s patent portfolio. EDI’s goal is to accelerate the global development and adoption of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to address the issues related to global climate change, depleting oil supplies and rapidly increasing fuel prices."

EDI states that it is working toward high-level production, moving toward growth, and becoming a profitable and well-established company.

"A significant amount of work is needed to build a commercial business around the university’s patents and technologies, but EDI is completely focused on that objective and expects to close first commercial deals in the next quarter," Ferchau concluded.

UC Davis is a leading center of PHEV research. The school’s Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Research Center recently announced that its researchers are undertaking what is described as the first comprehensive consumer study of PHEVs. The study, which will provide 10 loaner cars to 100 families for approximately two months, is designed to determine people’s attitudes and reactions to the rechargeable vehicles.