Dr. Andy Frank is the inventor of the modern PHEV. He's been working on hybrids and PHEVs since 1971 (see http://www.team-fate.net http://www.calcars.org/­history.html and Sherry Boschert's book, Plug-In Hybrids: The Cars that Will Recharge America at http://www.calcars.org/­books.html . He's a Key Advisor to CalCars.org

While remaining a Professor of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering at the University of California at Davis, he has founded and serves as Chief Technology Officer of a company, Efficient Drivetrains Inc. http://efficientdrivetrains.com/­ . EDI has just secured the rights to license the dozens of hybrid- and PHEV-related patents Frank has obtained over these decades. The way we see it, because he's been at it so long, Andy has encountered and developed solutions to problems that others who haven't gotten started don't even know exist!

Of course carmakers can develop PHEVs on their own -- we've often heard that they already have prototypes in their workshops and labs. We expect that some carmakers willing to go beyond "not-invented-here" assumptions will benefit from at least reviewing EDI's intellectual property -- which includes a mechanical continuously variable transmission (CVT) that's more efficient than electronic CVTs, and could be used in non-hybrid vehicles as well.

The announcement by the UC Davis licensing office is at http://www-pubcomm.ucdavis.edu/­search/­news_detail.lasso?id=8432 You can comment at Green Car Congress's report http://www.greencarcongress.com/­2007/­11/­uc-davis-licens.html Below is EDI's announcement:

UC Davis licenses PHEV technologies to startup: EDI

UC Davis just announced a patent licensing deal for its PHEV technologies with Silicon Valley startup - Efficient Drivetrains Inc (EDI). Several generations of award winning PHEVs have been developed at the University under the leadership of Professor Andy Frank, resulting in a broad patent portfolio that includes vehicle architectures, control and efficiency algorithms, and advanced continuously variable transmission (CVT) designs.

With this deal, EDI has the rights to commercialize and embed the PHEV technologies covered by the University's patent portfolio. EDI is also free to develop its own proprietary technologies as part of its research and development efforts and new projects.

Co-founded by CTO and Professor Frank, EDI is focused on offering its PHEV technologies to multiple vehicle designers and manufacturers in all geographies. The company has already signed its first customer deal and expects to close at least two others by the end of the year. EDI is also pursuing international opportunities through strategic partnerships and joint ventures.

"Plug-in hybrid technology offers a solution to the problem of shifting from transportation powered by oil to vehicles powered by electricity. The plug-in hybrid displaces more oil than any other technique, without a change in infrastructure," Frank said.

"EDI was established to proliferate Frank's technology. The company plans to partner with auto designers and manufacturers so that they can rapidly introduce advanced plug-in hybrid technology into their vehicles. The company also plans to establish its own automotive research and development center in Davis," said Joerg Ferchau, the company's chief executive officer.

CalCars Felix Kramer added, "I'm gratified to see the partnership between Davis and EDI because it makes the work that Professor Frank has done over the years to advance the technological development and vision for PHEVs available to the industry as a whole."

Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, EDI is pursuing discussions with potential strategic and institutional investors for a Series A funding round expected to close sometime in Q1 to expand company operations.

Frank has been working on developing fuel-efficient vehicles for more than 30 years. He advises a team of UC Davis students that has designed and built a series of award-winning vehicles to take part in the Futurecar, Futuretruck and ChallengeX competitions, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and leading companies in the auto industry.

For further information contact: jferchau@... 408-624-1231

arlEDI was founded in 2006 to commercialize Frank's technology. The company plans to partner with auto designers and manufacturers so that they can rapidly introduce advanced plug-in hybrid technology into their vehicles. The company also hopes to establish its own automotive research and development center in Davis, said Joerg Ferchau, the company's chief executive officer.

Frank's designs for a "parallel" hybrid powertrain allow significant increases in fuel efficiency compared with hybrids currently on the market, Ferchau said. The licensing package also includes an "intelligent," continuously variable transmission that automatically selects the right power ratio and eliminates gear shifting.

Frank has been working on developing fuel-efficient vehicles for more than 30 years. He advises a team of UC Davis students that has designed and built a series of award-winning vehicles to take part in the Futurecar, Futuretruck and ChallengeX competitions, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and leading companies in the auto industry.

About UC Davis InnovationAccess

UC Davis InnovationAccess actively manages a patent portfolio of 841 inventions reflecting the diversity of the campus's research base, and seeks opportunities to commercialize these via licensing, with 485 currently active licensees. UC Davis has also seen an upsurge in startup companies emerging from campus research and technologies, with nearly 20 companies founded since 2005. The UC Davis InnovationAccess team is comprised of more than 20 professionals with PhDs, JDs, and MBAs with significant private-sector experience.

Media contact(s):

" Andy Fell, UC Davis News Service, (530) 752-4533, ahfell@... "