EcoMotors

About EcoMotors

EcoMotors was an American company established in 2008 with headquarters in Allen Park, Michigan, focused on developing a novel internal combustion engine. The company was founded by Professor Peter Hofbauer, who previously led powertrain development at Volkswagen and was instrumental in creating its first diesel engine. Hofbauer, serving as Chairman and Chief Technical Officer, was joined by accomplished auto industry executives, including former GM and Delphi executive Donald Runkle as CEO. The leadership team's extensive experience in the automotive and power generation sectors was a key asset.

The firm's core product was the Opposed-Piston Opposed-Cylinder (OPOC) engine, a two-stroke diesel engine architecture. This design featured two pistons in each cylinder moving in opposite directions, eliminating the need for cylinder heads and valvetrain components found in conventional engines. Key benefits of the OPOC engine included a significantly smaller size, lighter weight with about 60% fewer parts, and projected fuel efficiency improvements of 15% to 50% over traditional diesel engines. A modular capability allowed multiple engine units to be linked with a clutch, enabling a smaller engine to run for light loads while a second unit could be engaged for additional power, reducing parasitic losses.

EcoMotors operated on a business model centered on licensing its technology and partnering with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The company targeted a wide range of markets, including passenger and commercial vehicles, marine applications, agriculture, and stationary power generators. Its primary investors were prominent venture capital firm Khosla Ventures and Bill Gates, who participated in Series B and C funding rounds. A major milestone was a 2013 agreement with Chinese automotive supplier Zhongding Power to construct a $200 million factory in China to produce the OPOC engines, with a target capacity of 150,000 units per year. However, after facing delays and shifting market dynamics, the company ceased operations, with its website becoming defunct in early 2017 and its intellectual property being sold off later that year.