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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

United States and China to Cooperate on Efficient Vehicles

September 20, 2007

DOE and China's Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) signed a five-year agreement on September 20th to support the large-scale deployment of electric, hybrid-electric, fuel cell, and alternative fuel vehicles in both countries. DOE and MOST will focus on advanced batteries, alternating current motor control systems, fast charging batteries, advanced materials for vehicle systems, and vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure. The United States and China plan to conduct information exchanges, joint studies, technology demonstrations, and training sessions through collaborations with national laboratories, automotive industries, and other private industries involved in energy efficient transportation.

The United States is the largest producer and consumer of cars in the world. In 2006, China became the second largest consumer and third largest producer of vehicles in the world and could have more highway vehicles than the United States by 2030. About 9 million passenger cars are currently on the road in China, and by 2030, the country is expected to have as many as 147 million passenger cars on the road, a 16-fold increase. See the DOE press release and DOE's FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies program Web Site.