News and Events
The History of The Achates Engine
Meet Dr. James Lemke – a serial entrepreneur with a passion for science, engineering and education and a track record of using scientific and engineering breakthroughs to create new products and companies.
Dr. Lemke founded Achates Power in 2004 with an idea that will revolutionize the automotive industry. His stroke of genius was recognition that advances in computer aided engineering and engine component technology enable the revitalization of the efficient opposed-piston engine.
Lemke realized that more efficient transportation solutions are required if we are to maximize the utility of the world’s finite petroleum supply, particularly in light of carbon dioxide and climate change concerns. Dr. Lemke started Achates Power with a group of engineers and scientists, and a focus on scientific and engineering fundamentals. As each technical challenge was overcome, skeptics turned into advocates. Current measurements show a 30% fuel efficiency improvement compared to the industry’s best diesel engines and nearly double the fuel efficiency of a standard gasoline engine with everything else (power, torque, emissions, noise, cost…) held the same.
Here is the story of how “light reading” on a Mexican vacation turned into the concept and development of one of the most revolutionary engines of today – The Achates Power Engine.
Should Tesla Worry About Achates’ Reboot Of 1930s Technology?
This is what Forbes editor Bill Visnic recently asked his readers after learning about Achates Power. Read about Mr.Visnic’s interview with CEO David Johnson – and his opinion on the reality of the car industry today – here.
“We’ve taken an engine that was put in the dustbin of history and improved it,” – David Johnson, CEO
Achates Power is thrilled to have been featured in The Wall Street Journal in this article on our partnership with Fairbanks Morse and the evolution of our engine technology.
Autoline Daily Insight – Achates Power: Twice the Fuel Economy Without the Cost
Recently Achates Power CEO, David Johnson, stopped by to update John McElroy on the latest company news and Achates Engine success.
Watch the interview here.
A New Motor for the Motor City
This spring, Achates Power announced our expansion to the Detroit Michigan area with a new office in Farmington Hills. Due to rapid growth and customer needs, the new Achates Midwest Operations office will be home to about 20 engineers and program managers by the end of 2015.
Achates Power Wins $14 Million Military Engine Project
This spring Achates Power was awarded a $14 million project by the National Advanced Mobility Consortium to support the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC). The project is the Single Cylinder Advanced Combat Engine Technology Demonstrator, part of the Army’s 30 year strategy to modernize tactical and combat vehicles.
New Website
Please visit our new website for all the current news and information about Achates Power.
