Mission, Vision, and Goals

The Mission

The mission of the Vehicle Technologies Program is to develop more energy efficient and environmentally friendly highway transportation technologies that enable America to use less petroleum. The long-term aim is to develop "leap frog" technologies that will provide Americans with greater freedom of mobility and energy security, with lower costs and lower impacts on the environment.

The Vision

Transportation energy security will be achieved through a U.S. highway vehicle fleet of affordable, full-function cars and trucks that are free from petroleum dependence and harmful emissions without sacrificing mobility, safety, and vehicle choice.

The Goals

The general goal is to develop technologies that enable cars and trucks to become highly efficient, through improved power technologies and cleaner domestic fuels, and to be cost and performance competitive. Manufacturers and consumers will then use these technologies to help the nation reduce both energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, thus improving energy security by dramatically reducing dependence on foreign oil. The benefits will include saving 4 to 6 million barrels of oil per day, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50%, and enabling U.S. manufacturers to be competitive in the global market. For more details on technical goals, see the Program's Multiyear Program Plan.