Owens & Minor's Fusion Drive: Award-Winning Hybrid Technology Transforming Powersports
- Owens & Minor's Fusion Drive hybrid powertrain won the EV Design Excellence Award for innovative hybrid technology in powersports.
- The Fusion Drive system offers OEMs a customizable platform for integrating hybrid solutions into various vehicle applications.
- OMI focuses on user-centric design and advanced technology to enhance performance and sustainability in the powersports industry.
Owens & Minor’s Fusion Drive: Pioneering Hybrid Technology in Powersports
Owens & Minor (OMI) has recently been recognized with the EV Design Excellence Award at the 2025 Battery Show Expo held in Detroit, MI, signifying the company’s innovative strides in hybrid technology. The award underscores OMI's commitment to advancing their Fusion Drive hybrid powertrain, which is specifically engineered for powersports applications such as off-road vehicles, boats, and drones. This cutting-edge solution not only enhances the performance of existing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles but also provides original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with a customizable platform that simplifies the integration of hybrid technology. OMI's CEO, Nicholas White, articulates the company’s goal to create a seamless hybrid system that accelerates vehicle development across various market segments, reflecting a significant shift in the industry towards more sustainable mobility solutions.
Central to OMI's innovative approach is a dedicated engineering team that collaborates with two esteemed universities, focusing on enhancing software, hardware, electronics, and battery technologies. This partnership fosters a vertically integrated solution that is responsive to market demands, ensuring that each OEM partner receives a tailored system that meets their specific requirements. The Fusion Drive system epitomizes this customization, providing OEMs with a user-friendly interface and advanced features such as cloud connectivity and AI learning capabilities. This strategic focus on user experience not only enhances the functionality of OMI’s products but also positions the company as a leader in delivering technologically advanced solutions that align with the evolving needs of the powersports industry.
OMI’s commitment to innovation is further demonstrated through its development of custom-designed Battery Management Systems (BMS) and flexible battery pack options. These offerings empower OEMs to optimize for a balance of range, cost, and performance, while also allowing end-users to access upgradeable accessories. As stated by Luis Garelli, OMI’s CTO, the recognition from the EV Design Excellence Award serves as a testament to the team’s dedication to fostering innovation and collaboration with customers. The Fusion Drive system not only represents a leap forward in hybrid technology but also embodies OMI’s vision for the future of specialty and off-road mobility, where advanced technology meets user-centric design.
In addition to the award recognition, OMI's Fusion Drive hybrid powertrain stands out for its adaptability in various applications, making it a compelling choice for OEMs looking to innovate within the hybrid vehicle market. The company’s focus on creating an easily installable hybrid system allows manufacturers to streamline their vehicle development processes, facilitating a faster transition to hybrid solutions across diverse sectors.
As the demand for environmentally sustainable transportation options grows, OMI is well-positioned to lead the charge in hybrid technology, providing OEMs with the tools necessary to meet market expectations while driving innovation within the industry. The integration of advanced technologies and user-friendly designs into the Fusion Drive system marks a significant step forward in enhancing the performance and appeal of powersports vehicles.
