Khosla Ventures has announced an investment in EcoMotors, an automotive company with a focus on fuel efficiency, low emissions and cost effective solutions for developing markets.
EcoMotors has developed an innovative diesel engine that is aiming at delivering 100 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2011.
Coinciding with the announcement, Vinod Khosla, founder and managing partner of Khosla Ventures, addressed the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Sunday. According to a release, Khosla planned to share his vision for the automotive industry, supported by anecdotes and developments from the work coming out of the companies that Khosla Ventures has invested in.
"We’re focused on powering the automotive fleet of tomorrow with fuel efficient building blocks," said Khosla said, of the investment in EcoMotors. "This new investment in efficient diesel engines from EcoMotors complements our firm’s other investments in the engine space. These companies are at the forefront of forming a serial plug-in hybrid platform with our multiple investments in new battery technology," continued Khosla. "The EcoMotors founders are experienced with multiple generations of engine design at top automotive companies. This experience will apply towards the design of the 100 mpg car."
Khosla Ventures says the EcoMotors team has been designing engines for the past forty years, since 1967. The team’s specific accomplishments include developing the first high speed diesel-engines for all Volkswagens & Audis, the first 6 cylinder diesels for Volvo, the first 6-cylinder Inline-Compact-V (VR) engine in E/W installation in a compact car, first used in the Volkswagen Golf and the VR6-engine also used by Daimler-Benz.
About Khosla Ventures
Khosla Ventures offers venture assistance, strategic advice and capital to entrepreneurs. The firm helps entrepreneurs extend the potential of their ideas in both traditional venture areas like the Internet, computing, mobile, and silicon technology arenas but also supports breakthrough scientific work in clean technology areas such as bio-refineries for energy and bioplastics, solar, battery and other environmentally friendly technologies. Khosla Ventures is based in Menlo Park, California.
About EcoMotors
EcoMotors is developing next-generation diesel engines, with a focus on fuel efficiency, low emissions and cost effective solutions for developing markets. The family of EcoMotors engines aims to set a new industry standard for clean efficient, lightweight, and durable propulsion systems for vehicles of all types. The inherently balanced EcoMotors’ engine family offers the unique ability to stack the modules and generate fuel efficiency improvements of over 50% with no compromise in vehicle power, performance, and driveability, the company says.
Loading...