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KDRIVE: Arnaud Prati's retrofit tech makes long-haul trucking cleaner and more efficient
Arnaud Prati is a visionary entrepreneur whose journey from a small mechanic’s shop in southwestern France to the global trucking industry is nothing short of extraordinary. With an innate drive for innovation, Arnaud’s passion for business began at the age of 19 and has since led to the founding of eight successful companies across France, Canada, and the USA. His latest venture, KDRIVE.tech, represents the culmination of his lifelong dedication to pushing the boundaries of technology and sustainability.
KDRIVE’s origin story is deeply rooted in one of Arnaud’s most ambitious challenges: the development of an 11-ton electric race truck for the grueling DAKAR rally. This ambitious project required his team to innovate at an unparalleled level, designing cutting-edge technology that could withstand extreme conditions. However, when the client halted the initiative, Arnaud saw an opportunity to pivot this groundbreaking work into something more impactful. Rather than let their hard-earned progress go to waste, they adapted the technology for use in the long-haul trucking industry.
KDRIVE emerged from this shift, offering an electric augmentation solution that revolutionizes Class 8 trucks. Through intelligent kinetic energy management, KDRIVE dramatically improves the efficiency, lifespan, and reliability of these trucks. What makes KDRIVE particularly unique is its retrofit capability, allowing both new and existing trucks to benefit from its plug-and-play intelligent drives. In a time of increasing environmental regulation, this future-proof technology ensures that the long-haul trucking industry can remain profitable and sustainable.
KDRIVE’s introduction comes at a critical moment for the trucking industry, as fleets face mounting pressure to reduce emissions while still maintaining profitability. Existing electric and hydrogen truck options have limitations, such as infrastructure gaps, weight-energy ratios, and high costs, leaving fleet owners with few viable alternatives to diesel. In response, Arnaud and his team designed KDRIVE to retrofit existing diesel trucks, giving them a cleaner, more efficient edge without the need for costly replacements.
This innovative approach positions KDRIVE as an immediate and practical solution, especially for mid-sized fleet operators who manage sleeper cabs and day cabs. KDRIVE’s technology not only cuts down on fuel consumption and emissions but also allows fleet operators to comply with increasingly stringent zero-emission zones, which is critical for long-term industry sustainability.
Before launching KDRIVE, Arnaud’s team took great care to validate their concept by engaging directly with the people who know the trucking industry best: truckers and fleet operators. Extensive discussions and field research with these stakeholders allowed the team to better understand the real-world challenges faced by those on the road. Their feedback confirmed that KDRIVE’s retrofit technology — with its intelligent kinetic energy management — was a perfect solution for enhancing truck efficiency, longevity, and reliability.
This practical feedback fueled KDRIVE’s development, reinforcing the idea that this wasn’t just a theoretical innovation, but a game-changing solution with the potential to transform the industry. With confirmation from industry veterans, Arnaud and his team moved forward confidently, knowing they were creating something both timely and impactful.
Looking ahead, Arnaud’s vision for KDRIVE. tech is far from limited to retrofitting diesel trucks. Over the next decade, he plans to integrate hydrogen technology into their electric augmentation systems, further reducing the environmental impact of long-haul trucking. His goal is to not only enhance truck performance but also set new standards in clean energy within the transportation sector.
Even more boldly, KDRIVE has aspirations to manufacture their own trucks in the future. By doing so, they would be able to fully integrate their advanced technologies into every aspect of truck design, creating vehicles that are tailor-made for the challenges of tomorrow’s roads. This vision places KDRIVE at the forefront of an industry that is rapidly evolving, with the potential to shape the future of sustainable transportation.
In an industry where many are still developing fully electric or hydrogen-powered trucks, KDRIVE stands out by offering a diesel/electric retrofit solution that can be deployed quickly. This gives KDRIVE a first-mover advantage in providing fleet operators with a cost-effective way to upgrade their existing vehicles.
The key features that make KDRIVE revolutionary include its unlimited range, thanks to a combination of battery-powered electric powertrains and range extenders, and the ease of maintenance through swappable modules. The 1200-horsepower powertrain ensures the trucks retain the strength needed for heavy-duty work, while integrated AI capabilities boost efficiency and make trucks easier to drive.
The ability to apply KDRIVE’s solution to millions of trucks already on the road gives fleet operators an edge in reducing their carbon footprint while improving performance — all without the high costs associated with purchasing entirely new electric trucks. As a result, KDRIVE isn’t just an option; it’s the most viable and timely solution for those in the trucking industry looking to adapt quickly to new environmental regulations.
At the heart of KDRIVE is a diverse team of experts from various fields, including AI, engineering, and marketing, who bring decades of experience in industries like EV development, Silicon Valley, and banking. This team, led by Arnaud’s entrepreneurial spirit, drives the innovation that defines KDRIVE. Arnaud’s background in electric power systems, electronics, and business, combined with his passion for building successful ventures across multiple continents, provides a solid foundation for KDRIVE’s ongoing success.
Rather than letting the advanced technology go to waste, Arnaud and his team decided to adapt it for a new purpose — enhancing the performance of long-haul trucks in the commercial sector. Thus, KDRIVE.tech was born. This pivot marked a significant shift, transforming the initial DAKAR project into an innovative solution for the trucking industry, which desperately needed a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional diesel engines.
KDRIVE.tech is more than just a product; it’s a groundbreaking electric augmentation technology that integrates seamlessly with existing trucks. By retrofitting both new and used Class 8 semi-trucks with intelligent drives and modules, KDRIVE enhances efficiency, extends the lifespan of the vehicles, and increases their reliability. This plug-and-play technology allows fleet operators to reduce fuel consumption and emissions without having to replace entire fleets — a crucial factor in an industry facing stringent environmental regulations.
"Fleet operators are struggling with the need to reduce emissions while maintaining profitability," Arnaud explains. "With infrastructure limitations and high costs hindering the adoption of new electric or hydrogen trucks, our retrofit solution offers an immediate, scalable way to modernize the industry."
Before launching, Arnaud and his team knew they had to ensure that KDRIVE addressed real-world challenges. They conducted extensive market validation by engaging directly with truck drivers, fleet operators, and key industry stakeholders. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, as operators confirmed that the technology’s intelligent kinetic energy management directly aligned with their needs for efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
"Our conversations with truckers and fleet managers helped us fine-tune the product, ensuring it wasn’t just an innovation for innovation’s sake, but a practical solution," says Arnaud.
One of the most attractive aspects of KDRIVE’s solution is its ability to retrofit existing diesel trucks, offering a cost-effective alternative to buying new electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles. In the U.S. alone, over 4 million trucks are currently on the road, and replacing them would be both costly and wasteful. KDRIVE solves this issue by allowing fleet owners to upgrade their vehicles, making them more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly, without the need for a complete overhaul.
"Why replace what still works? We can improve these trucks and make them compliant with future regulations without the enormous cost of buying new ones," Arnaud adds.
What truly sets KDRIVE.tech apart from other emerging technologies is its adaptability and power. Key features include:
These features provide a unique value proposition for fleet operators looking to boost performance, save on fuel costs, and ensure their vehicles are future-proof in terms of environmental compliance.
KDRIVE is still in its development phase, but the company is already laying the groundwork for a phased rollout. The next two years will focus on intensive R&D, including the development of two key projects: a semi-demonstrator and a DAKAR race truck. These will serve as powerful proof points, showcasing the versatility and strength of the technology in both everyday and extreme conditions. Pre-sales are expected to begin in 2027, coinciding with the company’s participation in major industry events such as the CET show in Las Vegas.
"The development of these demonstrators is critical. They will validate our technology and generate market interest ahead of our full commercial launch," Arnaud explains.
Like many startups, KDRIVE has faced its share of challenges, particularly in securing funding. While the company has raised $1.5 million to date, they are now entering their first major round of fundraising, aiming to secure $28 million to support their R&D efforts and product development. The volatile financial market and political uncertainty in the U.S. have made this process more difficult, but Arnaud remains optimistic.
"The lack of a finished demonstrator has been a challenge for investors," he admits, "but once we overcome this hurdle, I believe we’ll be well-positioned to move forward with full-scale production."
Arnaud attributes much of KDRIVE’s success to the dynamic company culture he has cultivated. With a diverse team of experts in AI, engineering, and marketing, the company thrives on collaboration and creative problem-solving. "Innovation is central to what we do," Arnaud says. "We give our team the freedom to explore new ideas and challenge norms, which often leads to breakthroughs."
The company’s global perspective also plays a significant role in shaping its culture. With operations in Canada, the U.S., and Europe, Arnaud is able to manage teams across continents, ensuring a truly collaborative environment.
Looking to the future, Arnaud sees KDRIVE as a key player in transforming the trucking industry. With increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, KDRIVE’s retrofit technology offers a practical and immediate solution. The company is also exploring hydrogen integration and plans to manufacture its own trucks within the next decade, further cementing its role as a leader in the industry.
"We are poised to drive the transition towards more sustainable and efficient transportation," Arnaud says confidently. "Our goal is to be a leader in this space, offering solutions that are not only innovative but also practical and scalable."
For Arnaud, the journey of entrepreneurship is one filled with both challenges and rewards. "Seeing our product finally come to market has been the most fulfilling experience," he reflects. "It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come and the impact we can make on industries and the world."
With KDRIVE, Arnaud Prati is not just creating a product; he’s driving a movement towards a cleaner, more efficient future for the trucking industry. His experience, passion, and dedication position him and his team to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of long-haul transportation.
