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Vehicle Technologies

Hybrid and Vehicle Systems

Hybrid and vehicle systems research provides an overarching vehicle systems perspective to the technology research and development (R&D) activities of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) vehicle research programs, and identifies major opportunities for improving vehicle efficiencies.

Graph showing the FY 2007, FY 2008, and FY 2009 (Request) budgets for Hybrid and Vehicle Systems. For more detailed information, see the table below.
Note: Budget structure change in FY 2008 - FY 2007 is shown as comparable.
Hybrid and Vehicle Systems
  FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 (Request)
Veh. & Sys. Sim. & Testing 25,169 28,201 21,126
Tech. Validation 0 0 14,789
Energy Storage R&D 40,912 48,236 49,457
Adv. Power Elec. & Motors R&D 13,699 15,462 15,604
Total 79,780 92,079 100,976

Note: Budget structure change in FY 2008 - FY 2007 is shown as comparable.

 

 

Energy Storage

The Energy Storage program's vision supports the development of durable and affordable advanced batteries covering the full range of vehicle applications, from start/stop to full-power hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles. Much of this work will transfer to energy storage for all electric and heavy hybrid vehicles as well.

 

 

Power Electronics and Electrical Machines

Power electronics and electrical machines research is a collaboration among government, national laboratories, academia, and industry partners to address needed improvements to electric propulsion components. These partners work together to ensure that technical attributes, vehicle-scale manufacturing, and cost sensitivities are addressed in a timely fashion and that the resulting technologies can be adopted by companies willing and able to supply products to automakers.

 

 

Advanced Combustion

Advanced combustion research and development efforts focus on improving engine efficiency to lower vehicle fuel use while meeting future federal and state emissions regulations. Improvements are being sought through a combination of combustion technologies that have the potential to significantly increase engine efficiency while minimizing in-cylinder formation of emissions. Improving aftertreatment technologies that further reduce exhaust emissions, and the development of technologies that provide direct energy conversion (e.g. heat to electricity and electricity to cooling) are also addressed.

Graph showing the FY 2007, FY 2008, and FY 2009 (Request) budgets for Advanced Combustion R&D. For more detailed information, see the table below.
Note: Budget structure change in FY 2008 - FY 2007 is shown as comparable.
Advanced Combustion Engine R&D
  FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 (Request)
Combustion & Emission Control 26,778 38,816 28,771
Heavy Truck Engine 14,495 0 0
Solid State Energy Conversion 4,579 4,527 3,888
Health Impacts 2,494 0 0
Total 48,346 43,443 33,600

Note: Budget structure change in FY 2008 - FY 2007 is shown as comparable.

 

 

Fuels and Lubricants

The fuels and lubricants effort supports research and development to provide vehicle users with fuel options that are cost-competitive, enable high fuel economy, deliver lower emissions, and contribute to petroleum displacement. Activities aim to identify advanced petroleum-based fuels and nonpetroleum-based fuels and lubricants for more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly highway transportation vehicles that can displace petroleum fuels.

Graph showing the FY 2007, FY 2008, and FY 2009 (Request) budgets for Fuels Technologies. For more detailed information, see the table below.
Note: Budget structure change in FY 2008 - FY 2007 is shown as comparable.
Fuels Technologies
  FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 (Request)
Adv. Peterolum Based Fuels 6,511 6,451 5,808
Non-Petroleum Based Fuels & Lubes 11,902 10,885 9,863
Total 18,413 17,376 15,671

Note: Budget structure change in FY 2008 - FY 2007 is shown as comparable.

 

 

Materials Technologies

Advanced materials, including metals, polymers, composites, and intermetallic compounds, can play an important role in improving the efficiency of transportation engines and vehicles. Lightweight, high-performance materials are sought that will contribute to the development of vehicles that provide better fuel economy, yet are comparable in size, comfort, and safety to today's vehicles. Research is also pursuing improvements to materials used in propulsion systems such as batteries, motors, and engines.

Graph showing the FY 2007, FY 2008, and FY 2009 (Request) budgets for Materials Technologies. For more detailed information, see the table below.
Note: Budget structure change in FY 2008 - FY 2007 is shown as comparable.
Materals Technology
  FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 (Request)
Lightweighting Materials 18,738 22,331 19,458
Propulsion Materials Technology 5,846 9,631 10,742
High Temp. Materials Lab. 4,460 6,564 5,670
Total 29,044 38,616 35,870

Note: Budget structure change in FY 2008 - FY 2007 is shown as comparable.

 

 

Technology Integration

The DOE's Technology Integration program seeks to advance deployment and technology validation, and promote educational and outreach programs for K through 12 and collegiate environments across the United States. The technology validation and deployment program supports efforts to test and deploy DOE-derived technologies throughout the country. The goal of VTP's education and outreach program is to engage students in engineering competitions and to cultivate an interest in pursuing science and engineering curricula.

Graph showing the FY 2007, FY 2008, and FY 2009 (Request) budgets for Technology Integration. For more detailed information, see the table below.
Note: Budget structure change in FY 2008 - FY 2007 is shown as comparable.
Technology Integration
  FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 (Request)
GATE 500 496 700
Adv. Vehicle Competitions 1,300 1,387 1,500
Education 0 0 4,000
Safety, Code, Standards 0 0 12,238
Legislative and Rulemaking 1,804 1,986 1,804
Veh. Tech. Deploy 4,393 12,481 10,096
Biennial Peer Rev. 0 495 500
Total 7,997 16,845 30,838

Note: Budget structure change in FY 2008 - FY 2007 is shown as comparable.

 

 

Other Activities
Other Activities
FY 2008 FY 2009 (Request)
5,094 5,072

 

 

 

 

Vehicle Technologies Total (dollars in thousands)
  FY 2007
Appropriation		 FY 2008
Appropriation		 FY 2009
Request		 FY 2009
House Mark		 FY 2009
Sente Mark
Hybrid and Vehicle Systems 79,780 92,079 103,361 172,974 153,904
Advanced Combustion Engine R&D 48,346 43,443 33,600 38,600 33,600
Materials Technology 29,044 38,616 36,903 40,903 36,903
Fuels Technology 18,413 17,376 16,122 16,122 31,112
Technology Integration 7,997 16,845 31,100 48,901 37,471
Total 183,580 208,359 221,086 317,500 293,000

Note: Budget structure change in FY 2008 - FY 2007 is shown as comparable.