Flux Hybrids

Flux Hybrids develops plug-in hybrid electric powertrain conversion systems intended to convert vehicles with internal combustion powertrains into plug-in hybrids. The technology can be upfitted to new vehicles before delivery by a second-stage manufacturer or bought as an aftermarket kit. The company markets the kits for both commercial and consumer vehicles and states the approach is scalable to larger vehicles such as buses used by public transit systems.

The stated benefits are increased fuel economy and reduced fuel expense, reduced carbon footprint through integration with the vehicle's existing drivetrain, and remote collection of operating data including speed, idling and greenhouse gas emission reductions. A proprietary transmission integration system is described as allowing all-electric driving until the battery is depleted, after which the vehicle operates as a conventional hybrid using gasoline or the modular battery pack can be swapped for a charged one.

The company is based in Troutman, North Carolina, with third-party listings also associating it with Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Founding story

Co-founder and CEO Micah Ulrich has said the founders shared a longstanding interest in cars and were motivated by data on vehicle emissions to work on sustainable transportation rather than abandon the hobby. Ulrich has described an early habit of proposing inventions to his father with cost and return-on-investment justifications as formative to his entrepreneurial path, and cited autonomy and decision-making responsibility as what he most values about founding the company.

Business model

Flux Hybrids sells plug-in hybrid conversion hardware either through second-stage manufacturers that upfit new vehicles before delivery or directly as aftermarket kits purchased by individual consumers and fleet operators. Quotes are provided separately for consumer and fleet buyers, and the purchase path is described as quote, order, implementation and use. The company positions kits as cost neutral over a few years through fuel savings, with payback claimed to fall within most vehicle warranty periods.

Transactional revenue from the sale of hybrid conversion kits to consumers and enterprise fleet customers, sold either as pre-delivery upfits or aftermarket installations.

Traction

The company was selected for the Techstars Alabama EnergyTech accelerator in 2021 and was an NC IDEA SEED Fall 2021 recipient. As of 2022 it was seeking fleet pilot partners and building out an automotive shop for R&D. Headcount is reported as five as of February 2024, with a listed size range of 1-10 employees.

Latest developments

Third-party listings from 2024 describe the company as seed or pre-seed stage with about five employees. A December 2023 North Carolina technology news item referenced a state startup offering hybrid electric vehicle conversion kits that was raising funding.