The US Department of Energy announced more than $55 million in new funding for projects that aim to reduce and improve the efficiency of plug-in electric, alternative fuel and conventional vehicles.
These technologies will play a key role in increasing fuel efficiency and reducing petroleum consumption, and support the Energy Department’s EV Everywhere Grand Challenge to make plug-in electric vehicles as affordable to own and operate as today’s gasoline-powered vehicles by 2022.
“Energy Department investments in advanced vehicle technologies have had a major impact on the industry, driving down costs for consumers and reducing carbon emissions,” said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. “These projects will continue America’s leadership in building safe, reliable, and efficient vehicles to support a strong, 21st century transportation system.”
The funding opportunity will go towards a wide range of research, development, and demonstration projects that aim to reduce the price and improve the efficiency of plug-in electric, alternative fuel, and conventional vehicles.
Topics addressed include:
· Advanced batteries (including manufacturing processes) and electric drive R&D
· Lightweight materials
· Advanced combustion engine and enabling technologies R&D
· Fuels technologies (dedicated or dual-fuel natural gas engine technologies
The DOE will fund cost-shared projects with private industry, national laboratories, and university led-teams.
In addition, the Energy Department has announced up to $35 million to advance fuel cell and hydrogen technologies, including enabling the early adoption of fuel cell applications, such as light duty fuel cell electric vehicles. This new funding opportunity announcement will be available in early February.
For more information and application requirements, click here.
