Budget

Vehicle Systems

The Vehicle Systems subprogram funds research and development (R&D) on advanced vehicle technologies and auxiliary equipment that could achieve significant improvements in fuel economy for light- and heavy-duty vehicles without sacrificing safety, the environment, performance, and affordability. This subprogram's funding contributes to both the FreedomCAR Partnership and the 21st Century Truck Partnership.

FY2003: $13,485
FY2004: $14,335
FY2005: $13,004
FY2006: $13,056
FY2007 request: $13,315

Innovative Concepts

The Innovative Concepts subprogram funds the Graduate Automotive Technology Education (GATE) activity, which aids in the development of interdisciplinary curricula to train the future workforce of automotive engineers. This is accomplished by setting up GATE Centers of Excellence at universities that have been competitively selected, establishing focused curriculum, and providing funds for research fellowships.

FY2003: $1,590
FY2004: $494
FY2005: $500
FY2006: $495
FY2007 request: $500

Hybrid and Electric Propulsion

The Hybrid and Electric Propulsion subprogram funds R&D for passenger vehicles. Research and development efforts include research in energy storage systems, advanced power electronics and electric machines. There are three activities: Energy Storage, Advanced Power Electronics, and Subsystem Integration and Development.

Requested in FY2007 is funding for R&D on those technologies needed for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

FY2003: $41,996
FY2004: $45,002
FY2005: $44,066
FY2006: $43,977
FY2007 request: $50,841

Advanced Combustion Engine R&D

The Advanced Combustion Engine R&D subprogram focuses on removing critical technical barriers to commercialization of more efficient advanced internal combustion engines in light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles. The goals are to improve the efficiency of internal combustion engines to 45% by 2010 for light-duty applications and to 55% for heavy-duty applications by 2013, while meeting cost, durability, and emissions constraints. Research is conducted in collaboration with industry, national laboratories, and universities, and in conjunction with the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership and 21st Century Truck Partnership. The Advanced Combustion Engine R&D subprogram includes Combustion and Emission Control, Heavy Truck Engine, Waste Heat Recovery, and Health Impacts Research.

FY2003: $55,267
FY2004: $54,405
FY2005: $48,480
FY2006: $42,746
FY2007 request: $46,706

Materials Technologies

The Materials Technologies subprogram supports the development of cost-effective materials and materials manufacturing processes that can contribute to fuel-efficient cars and trucks. This subprogram is a critical enabler for concepts developed in the FreedomCAR and 21st Century Truck Partnerships. The activity consists of three activities: Propulsion Materials Technology, Lightweight Materials Technology, and the High-Temperature Materials Laboratory (HTML).

FY2003: $36,094
FY2004: $39,744
FY2005: $35,922
FY2006: $35,269
FY2007 request: $29,786

Fuels Technologies

The Fuels Technology subprogram supports R&D that will provide vehicle users with fuel options that are cost competitive, enable high fuel economy, deliver low emissions, and contribute to petroleum displacement. It consists of two activities: Advanced Petroleum-Based Fuels (APBF) and Non-Petroleum-Based Fuels and Lubricants (NPBFL).

FY2003: $19,164
FY2004: $16,494
FY2005: $12,419
FY2006: $13,709
FY2007 request: $13,845

Technology Introduction

The Technology Introduction subprogram accelerates the adoption and use of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles to help meet national energy and environmental goals. This subprogram's efforts logically follow and complement successful research and by industry and government. The primary functions of Technology Introduction include legislative and rulemaking supporting the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) alternative fuel and fleet activities; testing and evaluation of advanced technology vehicles; and advanced vehicle competitions. As identified in the National Energy Policy, consumer education and demonstration activities are critical to accelerating the use of advanced energy technologies.

The FY 2007 request includes funding ($4,393) for the Clean Cities activity previously funded in the EERE Weatherization and Intergovernmental Activities Program.

FY2003: $4,570
FY2004: $4,939
FY2005: $4,944
FY2006: $6,250
FY2007 request: $11,031

Technical/Program Management Support

Consistent with other U.S. Department of Energy programs under the jurisdiction of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Committees, the Energy Conservation programs provide funding for technical/program management support. This includes activities such as R&D feasibility studies; R&D option development and trade-off analyses; and technical, economic, and market evaluations of research. These activities provide important benefits directly to the Vehicle Technologies Program and are therefore an integral part of the R&D program.

Beginning with the FY2007 request, these activities will be funded from the R&D activities they support.

FY2003: $2,005
FY2004: $2,095
FY2005: $1,877
FY2006: $2,475
FY2007 request: $0

Biennial Peer Reviews

Biennial reviews of the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership and 21st Century Truck Partnership will be conducted by an independent party such as the National Academy of Sciences/National Academy of Engineering, to evaluate progress and program direction. This continuous (biennial) activity supports the President's Management Agenda (PMA), Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART), and Research and Development Investment Criteria (R&DIC). The reviews will include evaluation of progress toward achieving the technical goals and program direction of each partnership. Based on the evaluation, resource availability, and other factors, the Partners will consider new opportunities, make adjustments to program targets, and set goals appropriately.

FY2003: $0
FY2004: $494
FY2005: $0
FY2006: $990
FY2007 request: $0

Congressionally Directed Activities

These are activities not requested by the FCVT Program, but rather, are those conducted by Congressional direction.

FY2005: $120
FY2006: $24,255
FY2007 request: $0

Vehicle Technology Total

FY2003: $174,171
FY2004: $178,002
FY2005: $161,236
FY2006: $182,104
FY2007 request: $166,024