What They Do
Optimus Technologies develops advanced fuel system technology that enables heavy-duty diesel engines to operate on 100% biodiesel (B100). Its technology can be installed on existing fleet vehicles or integrated into new trucks, allowing fleets to use renewable fuels made from sources including recycled cooking oil, agricultural byproducts and waste animal fats without replacing their existing diesel vehicles.
Agriculture is part of both the fuel source and its application. In May 2026, Perdue Farms deployed six Volvo trucks equipped with Optimus technology to transport fresh chicken using B100 biodiesel made from American-grown soybeans, including soybeans sourced from Perdue’s farmer network. The deployment connects American-grown crops with renewable fuel and food transportation.
The Challenge
Heavy-duty vehicles such as long-haul trucks, garbage trucks and snow plows can be difficult to decarbonize. Battery range, vehicle weight, charging time and infrastructure requirements can make electrification challenging for fleets that operate long routes, carry heavy loads and require high vehicle utilization.
Optimus Technologies set out to provide another option by enabling existing diesel engines to operate on B100 biodiesel, a renewable fuel produced from sources including used cooking oils, fats and agricultural feedstocks.
As the technology began reaching larger fleets, another challenge emerged: preventing drivers from accidentally putting B100 into vehicles that were not equipped to use it. Solving that problem became critical to enabling broader fleet adoption.
How Ben Franklin Helped
Innovation Works, a Ben Franklin Technology Partner, first supported Optimus Technologies through its Technology Commercialization Initiative (TCI). Funding supported the development of SMARTFuel, an RFID-based fuel management system designed to prevent B100 biodiesel from being dispensed into vehicles that are not equipped to use it.
SMARTFuel addressed a critical barrier to fleet adoption and became an essential part of the Optimus platform. Innovation Works has continued to participate in Optimus Technologies’ financing rounds as the company has reached growth milestones, providing ongoing capital support throughout its development.
“That original funding helped with the development of the technology that was a critical unlock for us. Customers would ask about driver misfueling, and we could say we have a technology that prevents that.”
— Colin Huwyler, Co-Founder & CEO, Optimus Technologies
