Bradley Ketchel
Founder and powertrain architect behind eRhino.
Location
Huntington Beach, California, US
Company

Ketchel Axle Systems
Industry
Transportation
Top Skills
Bradley Ketchel
Founder and powertrain architect behind eRhino.
Location
Huntington Beach, California, US
Company

Ketchel Axle Systems
Industry
Transportation
Top Skills
U.S. Patents
Holds 16 issued patents and has additional eRhino-related patent activity, including 2 patents and 8 provisionals.
Bio
I founded Ketchel Axle Systems to solve a problem I have seen repeatedly across commercial and defense vehicle programs: electrification is too expensive, too vehicle-specific, and too difficult to scale across fragmented truck platforms. eRhino was created from my experience developing powertrain, axle, driveline, and electrified vehicle systems across OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, startups, and military vehicle programs.
Over my 30-year career, I have led systems from early concept through prototype validation, production launch, manufacturing readiness, and customer support. My prior work includes Class 4/5 commercial EV powertrain development at Karma Automotive, Magna eBeam and BEV/HEV powertrain development, Hendrickson military and rescue vehicle programs, and driveline production launches with major OEM customers. This experience directly shaped eRhino’s modular architecture, which is designed to reduce cost, simplify integration, and support multiple commercial and defense vehicle platforms. I hold 16 issued patents and have additional eRhino-related patent activity, including 2 patents and 8 provisionals

Elevator Pitch
Ketchel Axle Systems is developing eRhino, the modular electric axle technology that powers both commercial electrification and Dominus, our military hybrid system for next-generation tactical vehicles.
Industry
Transportation
Website
Team Size
1-5 employees
Funding Stage
Seed
Funding Raised
$1m to $5m
Annual Revenue
$0 to $100k
| Skill | Strength | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Patents | Holds 16 issued patents and has additional eRhino-related patent activity, including 2 patents and 8 provisionals. |
Title
Senior Director, Powertrain Integration & eDrive
Position Description
• Led in-house development of powertrain systems, electric drivetrain, power electronics, HV power distribution and battery systems for passenger and commercial truck platforms.
Accomplishment Notes
• Developed low-cost 800V inverter concept with voltage boosting functionality and motor torque fluctuation control.
Title
Senior Manager, Innovation & Electrification Eng., NA
Position Description
Built and managed the North American Advanced Engineering group; generated innovation projects with R&D organizations in Austria, Canada, Germany and China.
Accomplishment Notes
Led development of Magna eBeam powertrain systems and BEV/HEV powertrains with single- and multi-speed transmission architectures
Title
Engineering Manager
Position Description
Managed military and rescue engineering group including project engineers, project managers, simulation / FEA engineers and design engineers.
Accomplishment Notes
Led technical development of military suspension systems and manufacturing integration for green-sheet vehicle programs
Title
BSME
Position Description
Accomplishment Notes
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Title
MSME
Position Description
Accomplishment Notes
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering