EV Startup Faraday Future to Supply U.S. Hybrid Corp with Powertrains for Commercial Hybrid & Electric Vehicles

author: Eric Walz   

An electric powertrain developed by Faraday Future for its FF91 SUV.

Faraday Future (FF), the financially strapped Chinese electric vehicle startup, has been working on its FF91 luxury SUV for the past several years. After running low on cash and the departure of key employees the company's vehicle development plans have stalled.

However, the company remains dedicated to delivering the FF91, and development of the EV is progressing at the company's headquarters in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, FF announced it will share its electric powertrain technology for the first time.

FF announced last week a strategic partnership with electric powertrain developer US Hybrid Corporation. The Southern California company will use drivetrains developed by FF for its commercial vehicles. 

FF developed the advanced electric propulsion system in-house for its electric FF91 SUV. The deal is the first step in opening up FF's intellectual property to other companies, which might lead to additional revenue for FF while its continues its work on the FF91, its first electric passenger vehicle.

US Hybrid will leverage FF's lightweight, advanced powertrain systems for its medium and heavy-duty (MD/HD) shuttle buses and shipping trucks. 

US Hybrid was founded in 1999. The company manufactures power conversion systems for MD/HD electric, hybrid, and fuel cell commercial buses, trucks and municipal vehicles, converting them to be more reliable and fuel-efficient, with lower emissions. The company has operations in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Hawaii, as well as a joint venture in China.

"US Hybrid is pleased to partner with FF in order to help expand the manufacturing of innovative zero emission powertrain components that reduce vehicle weight and cost while increasing efficiency for electric, hybrid, and fuel cell medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles," said Dr. Abas Goodarzi, CEO of US Hybrid. "We are thrilled to provide commercially viable solutions that ultimately support ports, good movements and municipalities in achieving their air quality improvement and environmental goals." 

The Faraday Future FF91 electric SUV.

US Hybrid's products have been used in many OEM commercial vehicles worldwide. In addition to California Department of Transportation buses and municipal transit vehicles, the company's powertrain is currently being used in drayage trucks at the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach, hybrid street sweepers in New York City and vehicles for the US military.

"As a forward-thinking leader in clean energy EV technology, we're confident that with efforts like this agreement with US Hybrid, FF can play a significant role in not only saving the planet from adverse climate change but also showcasing our innovative technology to other companies," said Carsten Breitfeld, CEO of FF. "This agreement is just one step in our decision to embrace new market opportunities for our technology and products."

FF's electric propulsion system is built upon the company's Variable Platform Architecture, which is a powerful and efficient modular system that can support different vehicle configurations as needed. The motor drive units can be used in one, two and three motor setups.

"We are really proud of the powertrain technology. It's really the most advanced one you can get," Breitfeld said to us in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show. "It's the most advanced, when its comes to power density to weight, power to torque, and power to range."

The FF91's advanced powertrain uses permanent magnet synchronous motors instead of AC induction. Permanent magnet motors can carry a higher load capacity with direct current and run more efficiently, "instantly turning on like a light switch," according to the company.

Now FF's advanced technology will be available for the first time in commercial vehicles.

Eric Walz

Originally hailing from New Jersey, Eric is a automotive & technology reporter covering the high-tech industry here in Silicon Valley. He has over 15 years of automotive experience and a bachelors degree in computer science. These skills, combined with technical writing and news reporting, allows him to fully understand and identify new and innovative technologies in the auto industry and beyond. He has worked at Uber on self-driving cars and as a technical writer, helping people to understand and work with technology.