What Excel Engineering does

Excel Engineering is a U.S.-based independent testing and certification firm specializing in powertrain, propulsion, and energy storage validation for global OEMs. Founded in 2002 by Doug Sobotka in Diagonal, Iowa, the company operates three facilities — a Diagonal, Iowa headquarters with 28 engine test cells and 9 EPA 40 CFR 1065-compliant emissions cells, a Mount Ayr, Iowa Battery Tech Center with 30 high-voltage battery test cells (up to 2,000V/1MW), and a Detroit Technical Center in Van Buren Township, Michigan (acquired 2020) — staffed by 70+ employees running 24/7 programs. The technical core spans engine and aftertreatment testing (5–5,500 HP), emissions certification under EPA 40 CFR Part 1065/1066 and CARB, high-voltage battery and BESS validation, hydrogen H2ICE and fuel cell testing, powertrain (axle, transmission, e-axle, e-motor) testing, NVH, chassis dynamometer, evaporative emissions, in-use testing, custom test stand fabrication, fuel blending, and benchmarking. The company holds ISO 17025, EPA, CARB, ITAR, UL583 TPTDP (the only non-UL facility globally), and DNV certifications, making it one of a small number of independent labs authorized to certify regulated powertrain programs.

Excel Engineering generates revenue through fee-for-service testing engagements and custom solutions/consulting with OEM engineering and compliance departments, military and defense customers, and Tier 1 suppliers. Pricing is quote-based with no public disclosure, and sales is a direct enterprise B2B motion targeting automotive, off-road, rail, marine, stationary, powersports, and industrial OEMs. In January 2026, Excel Engineering was acquired by Fusion Capital Partners, a Santa Monica-based private equity firm focused on engineered products and services, transitioning the company from founder-owned to PE-backed ownership while retaining CEO Doug Sobotka and the existing management team.

Name

Excel Engineering

Legal name

Excel Engineering, Inc.

Website

https://excelengineering.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Excel Engineering is an independent U.S. testing and certification firm operating three facilities that provide engine, powertrain, high-voltage battery, hydrogen, and emissions testing services to global OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and defense customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Powertrain Testing & Certification Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Mobile Source & Fleet Emissions MRV (Transport, aviation, marine) (EUAHADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Air Quality & Emissions Management (BPAHAJAI)

Keywords

• Engine testing services
• Powertrain development
• Battery testing services
• Emissions certification
• Hydrogen fuel cell testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Diagonal

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Testing Services: Provides emissions, battery, durability, and specialty testing programs for OEMs across the full product lifecycle, from pre-production validation to in-service compliance and certification. Revenue generated through fee-for-service testing arrangements with OEM engineering and compliance departments.
2. Custom Solutions and Consulting: Test stand design and development, fuel blending, benchmarking services, and consulting engagements. In-house engineering, machining, and fabrication capabilities support custom test solutions.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Excel Engineering provides outsourced powertrain, engine, battery, hydrogen, and driveline testing and certification services across three U.S. facilities in Iowa and Michigan. The company delivers emissions certification, durability/endurance testing, NVH analysis, chassis dynamometer testing, and custom test stand fabrication to global OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and defense customers under EPA, CARB, ISO 17025, and ITAR frameworks.

Product overview

Excel Engineering is a testing and engineering services firm — not a single software product — offering a portfolio of specialized powertrain, propulsion, and battery testing services across three U.S. facilities. The core offering spans Engine Testing Services (combustion analysis, emissions certification, durability, altitude simulation for 5 HP–5,500 HP engines), a dedicated High-Voltage Battery & xEV Testing Center (Mount Ayr, IA — 30 test cells up to 2,000V/1 MW), Hydrogen H2ICE & Fuel Cell Testing, Powertrain Testing (axle, transmission, e-axle, e-motor), NVH Testing, Chassis Dynamometer Testing, and Evaporative Emissions Testing. Supporting services include in-use testing, test stand fabrication, fuel blending, benchmarking, and motorcycle/ATV testing. Services are delivered at three locations: Diagonal, IA headquarters (engine/emissions/certification); Mount Ayr, IA Battery Tech Center (xEV/BESS); and Detroit Technical Center in Van Buren Twp., MI (ITAR-compliant powertrain and emissions).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Engine Testing Services Comprehensive engine testing and development services spanning combustion analysis, emissions certification, durability/endurance testing, altitude simulation, and EPA/CARB compliance validation for engines from 5 HP to 5,500 HP across all fuel types including hydrogen. Targeted at OEM engineering and compliance departments.
• High-Voltage Battery & xEV Testing Center Advanced battery testing facility in Mount Ayr, Iowa with 30 test cells capable of testing up to 2,000V and 1 MW, supporting electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, battery energy storage systems (BESS), e-motors, e-axles, and abuse/thermal propagation testing with full DV and PV test plan execution. Targeted at automotive OEMs, industrial vehicle manufacturers, and BESS developers.
• HV Battery Systems Testing High-voltage battery testing services for electric vehicles, energy storage systems, industrial vehicles, and e-axle/EDM/EDU/power electronics components, including battery abuse, thermal cycling, altitude simulation, and vent gas analysis. Targeted at EV, BESS, and industrial vehicle developers.
• Hydrogen H2ICE & Fuel Cell Testing Specialized hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2ICE) and fuel cell testing using six heavy-duty dedicated H2 test cells with advanced safety systems, EPA-certified 40CFR1065 testing, fuel cell thermal cycling, and injector life cycling. Targeted at hydrogen powertrain OEMs and fuel cell developers.
• NVH (Noise, Vibration & Harshness) Testing Vehicle-level and system/component-level NVH testing for passenger cars through Class 6 medium-duty trucks, utilizing 4-corner hub dynamometers for evaluating and resolving noise, vibration, and harshness concerns at chassis and powertrain levels. Targeted at automotive and commercial vehicle OEMs.
• Chassis Dynamometer Testing Vehicle chassis dynamometer testing using both absorption and motoring dynos for performance, durability, emissions, and MPGe evaluation, covering motorcycles to Class 8 trucks under 40CFR1066 standards. Targeted at automotive, powersports, and commercial vehicle OEMs.
• Powertrain Testing (Axle, Transmission, E-Axle) Comprehensive powertrain testing for axles, transmissions, e-axles, EDM/EDU units, and e-motors including efficiency testing per §1037.560 and §1037.565, durability programs with continuous 24/7 operation, and support up to 20,000 N-m max pinion torque. Targeted at automotive OEMs and Tier 1 driveline suppliers.
• Evaporative Emissions Testing Evaporative emissions testing for fuel tanks, portable fuel containers, marine fuel tanks, and fuel system components under EPA, CARB (SHED), and regulatory specifications including 40 CFR §59.653 and §1060.520. Targeted at automotive, marine, and small engine manufacturers.
• In-Use Testing Full-service in-use testing program managing vehicle sourcing, acquisition, installation into test cells, maintenance, documentation, and testing execution for engines, components, and catalysts. Targeted at OEM compliance departments and regulatory agencies.
• Test Stand/Rig Design & Fabrication Custom test stand and rig design, prototyping, fabrication, and integration services for engine, emissions, transmission, axle, motorcycle, and ATV testing, designed and built in-house. Targeted at OEM engineering departments requiring custom test solutions.
• Fuel Blending & Mixing Custom fuel formulation and blending services supporting advanced engine development and clean energy transition, including hydrogen and alternative fuel testing support. Targeted at OEMs developing engines for alternative and clean fuels.
• Benchmarking Competitive engine benchmarking using a 1,000-acre off-highway proving ground with in-house teams for cost-effective execution across skid steer, industrial vehicles, gensets, ATV, snowmobile, and heavy machinery applications. Targeted at industrial and off-road OEMs.
• Altitude Simulation Testing Altitude simulation testing cells at Diagonal headquarters for conventional engines and hybrids, and at the Mount Ayr battery facility for EV and BESS applications, enabling testing across a wide range of simulated atmospheric pressures up to 48,000 feet. Targeted at OEMs developing engines and battery systems for high-altitude operation.
• Motorcycle & ATV Testing Comprehensive emissions, service accumulation, and durability testing for motorcycles, ATVs, and powersports equipment including EPA and CARB certification, robotic automated driving systems, and full SHED evaporative testing capabilities. Targeted at powersports and small engine manufacturers.
• Small Engine Testing Specialized small engine testing with dedicated test cells supporting simultaneous operation of multiple small engines for service accumulation, durability, and 40 CFR Part 1065 compliant emissions testing. Targeted at small engine manufacturers across powersports, industrial, and outdoor power equipment.
• Exhaust Emissions Testing Full suite of exhaust emissions testing measuring THC, NMHC, NOx, CO, CO2, CH4, N2O, and particulate matter using Sierra Instruments BG3, CAI analyzers, and CVS systems under EPA Part 1065 and CARB guidelines. Targeted at OEM compliance departments and regulatory agencies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 140+ average run hours per week for durability testing
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• SGS: SGS is a major global testing, inspection, and certification company with automotive industry services including emissions, durability, and materials testing. Broader TIC incumbent with overlapping automotive testing capabilities.
• UL Solutions: UL Solutions is a global safety science company providing testing, inspection, and certification. Notable: UL is the only other organization globally with UL583 TPTDP approval, making it a direct counterpart for Excel's battery certification services.
• Intertek: Intertek is a global TIC (testing, inspection, certification) company serving multiple industries. Overlaps with Excel Engineering in vehicle and component testing, certification, and regulatory compliance services for automotive and industrial markets.
• Element Materials Technology: Element is a global testing provider for transportation, energy, and connected industries, including automotive component and materials testing. Overlaps with Excel in component testing, certification, and validation services.
• TÜV SÜD: TÜV SÜD is a global testing, inspection, and certification organization with automotive and battery testing services. Overlaps with Excel in regulatory compliance, battery testing, and certification for the automotive industry.

Direct peers

• FEV: FEV is a global engineering services provider specializing in powertrain and vehicle development, including engine testing, battery development, and emissions certification. Direct competitor in mobile source emissions MRV and powertrain testing for OEMs.
• Applus+ IDIADA: Applus+ IDIADA provides design, engineering, testing, and homologation services for the automotive industry worldwide, with a major proving ground and testing facilities. Direct competitor in chassis dynamometer and emissions certification testing.
• Ricardo: Ricardo is a global engineering and strategic consulting firm specializing in powertrain and vehicle efficiency, with engine testing, calibration, and certification capabilities. Direct competitor in engine and powertrain testing services for OEMs.
• MAHLE Powertrain: MAHLE Powertrain provides engineering services for engine and powertrain development, including testing, calibration, and validation. Direct competitor in engine and powertrain testing for automotive OEMs globally.
• AVL List: AVL is the world's largest independent company for powertrain development, simulation, and testing, serving automotive OEMs globally. Direct competitor in engine, powertrain, and battery testing services for OEM engineering and certification programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance19 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Excel Engineering