Energy Secretary Moniz Unveils More Than $55 Million to Advance Fuel Efficient Vehicle Technologies

Energy Secretary Moniz Unveils More Than $55 Million to Advance Fuel Efficient Vehicle Technologies

WASHINGTON – Following the State of the Union Address on Tuesday, January 20 in which President Obama highlighted the surge in U.S. manufacturing and the strong growth in the auto industry, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz today announced more than $55 million to develop and deploy cutting-edge vehicle technologies that strengthen the clean energy economy. 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 announced today 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 Department will fund cost-shared projects with private industry, national laboratories, and university led-teams. For more information and application requirements, please click HERE. 

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.

The Energy Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) accelerates development and facilitates deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and market-based solutions that strengthen U.S. energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality. The Vehicle Technologies Office funds research and development for energy efficient and environmentally friendly vehicle technologies. To learn more about the program, please visit the Vehicle Technologies Office website.

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