New engine patents are hard to come by, but Eco-Motive, of Moreno Valley, Ca, recently was awarded a patent for the world’s first dual-fuel “H” powerplant.

“The Eco-Motive dual fuel ‘H’ engine is a masterpiece of smart engineering that replaces a single fuel design that has been powering cars for over 100 years,” said Herns Louis, founder and CEO of Eco-Motive. “Our design will offer significant benefits for both consumers and the environment. Best of all, the technology can be easily adapted to existing engines, making the implementation very cost effective. We’re offering auto manufacturers a leap forward that is as revolutionary as Henry Ford’s adoption of the assembly line.”

The Eco-Motive H-motor is simple in its design. The engine can be powered by either regular gasoline or compressed natural gas, by the driver simply pushing a button. Each bank of the H-shaped engine is powered exclusively by one of the two fuels; at the driver’s discretion the engine can switch from one to the other.

“Our unique H-shaped motor uses a pair of individual cylinder banks and respective crankshafts,” said Louis. “Each side is controlled by an engine selector gearbox, which connects to the transmission. Thus, an OEM can adapt our idea to any internal combustion engine with an even number of cylinders to power any truck, SUV or car they currently build, regardless of its transmission or configuration.”

There are two fuel tanks, one on either side of the driveshaft, with an inlet on each side of the car for the respective fuel. The switch is made from inside the vehicle, and the engine will stay in the mode selected by the driver until the alternative mode is selected. The CNG fuel tank can be filled at home by the driver, or at one of the 530 CNG fuel stations nationwide.

“Receiving this patent is a huge step forward for my company,” said Louis. “Now we can push our engine technology into a market that’s hungry for smart, effective solutions. The infrastructure for CNG powered vehicles is established and will be prominent in the next couple of decades due to its low costs and high efficiency.”