Building on U.S. President Obama's Climate Action Plan to build a 21st century transportation sector and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the U.S. Department of Energy announced more than US$45 million for 38 new projects that accelerate the research and development of vehicle technologies to improve fuel efficiency, lower transportation costs and protect the environment in communities nationwide.
"By partnering with universities, private industry and our national labs, the Energy Department is helping to build a strong 21st century transportation sector that cuts harmful pollution, creates jobs and leads to a more sustainable energy future," said U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. "By improving the fuel economy of our cars and trucks, we can save families and businesses money at the pump and better protect our air and water."
The Obama Administration has taken unprecedented steps to improve the fuel efficiency of American vehicles, establishing the toughest fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles in U.S. history. These standards are expected to save consumers US$1.7 trillion at the pump-or more than US$8,000 in costs over the lifetime of each vehicle – and eliminate six billion metric tons of carbon pollution.
Innovative technologies and manufacturing are helping U.S. automakers achieve the goals of this historic agreement, and the investment announced in September will help provide new technologies and innovations to enable automakers to continue to improve vehicle fuel efficiency.
Through the Advanced Vehicle Power Technology Alliance between the U.S. Energy Department and the U.S. Department of the Army, the Army is contributing an additional US$3 million in co-funding to support projects focused on lightweighting and propulsion materials, batteries, fuels and lubricants.
"Working with the Energy Department, we are accelerating the development and deployment of cutting-edge technologies to strengthen our military, economy, and energy security,' said Paul Rogers, director the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center.
The 38 projects announced in September span five major areas critical to advanced transportation technologies, such as lightweighting and propulsion materials as well as affordable, efficient batteries, power electronics, fuels and lubricants, and efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.