The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced last week that DOE will invest up to $30 million for development and demonstration projects supporting Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs).
In addition, the DOE says it will participate in a cooperative, pre-competitive research and development alliance–known as the U.S. Automotive Partnership for Advancing Research & Technologies–or USAutoPARTs.
Under Secretary Bud Albright made the announcements while visiting the North American International Auto Show in Detroit last Thursday.
This $30 million Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) seeks projects that will find solutions to improving battery performance so vehicles can deliver up to 40 miles of electric range without recharging, and address critical barriers to achieving DOE’s goal of making PHEVs cost-competitive by 2014 and ready for commercialization by 2016. A 40-mile electric range without recharging would include most daily roundtrip commutes, and satisfies 70% of the average daily travel in the United States.
Combined with a minimum 50% cost share with industry applicants, research investment will total up to $60 million, of which up to $30 million will come from DOE. Selected projects will place PHEVs in small, geographically diverse fleets in order to collect operational data that will be used to evaluate and demonstrate the operational and economic viability of PHEVs in the marketplace. The batteries expected to be included in the test fleet vehicles will showcase technologies developed with DOE funding.
Hybrid electric vehicles converted into PHEVs by non-Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) companies have demonstrated they are able to significantly increase fuel economy in both laboratory and on-road testing environments. According to a DOE release, accelerating the development of fully integrated OEM-quality vehicles will maximize existing resources and current technological information, and help realize the full potential of PHEVs.
DOE is expected to provide up to $7 million in Fiscal Year 2008 for this FOA, with the remaining $23 million expected to be available in FY’09-10, subject to appropriation from Congress. For consideration in the first round, applications are due February 13, 2008. Second round applications are due by April 30, 2008.
Under Secretary Albright joined Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, and CEO of the OESA in signing a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) to participate in supporting USAutoPARTs. This alliance will perform pre-competitive research and engage auto suppliers to advance cost-effective emerging technologies into performance-specified, factory-ready materials, processes, components and systems.
At the federal level, DOE and its national labs, specifically its Oak Ridge National Laboratory, intends to perform advanced research and provide technical assistance valued at up to $9 million, beginning in 2008, to further the efforts of USAutoPARTs, according to a release.
Additionally, the areas on which USAutoPARTs will initially focus are said to be aligned with the DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Program, which aims to develop vehicle technologies and clean, renewable fuels that could decrease emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases, and enable the U.S. transportation industry to sustain a strong, competitive position in domestic and world markets. Funding and similar support is also being provided by the U.S. Department of Defense.
USAutoPARTs will initially have three research consortia that are aligned with member supplier businesses and national priorities for energy, environment and competitiveness. The consortia will focus on lightweight materials, electrical and electronic thermal management, and engine combustion and emission after-treatment.
USAutoPARTs will be located in Shelby Township, Michigan, in a 56,000 square foot comprehensive vehicle R&D center with established laboratory infrastructure that will support approximately 200 people.
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