National Research Council Praises FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership
August 3, 2005
Citing the research vision of the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership for its "potentially enormous beneficial impact for the nation," the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies has issued a report endorsing the research program.
The FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership includes the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), United States Council for Automotive Research (USCAR), whose members are DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation; and five major energy companies, including BP America, Chevron Corporation, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil Corporation, and Shell Hydrogen (US). The government research program supporting the Partnership's goals is part of the administration's $1.7 billion initiative over five years to advance transportation technologies.
Calling the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership "an extremely challenging program whose ultimate vision involves a fundamental transformation of automotive technologies," the NRC report confirms that the Partnership is on track, addressing critical research issues, and has an appropriate research balance of hydrogen and vehicle technologies. It recognizes the enormity of challenges faced in every research area and encourages continued research to overcome these barriers.
In response to the report, Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman said, "I am pleased that the National Academy of Sciences agrees that we are on the right path with our research and development. We agree that this effort could lead to enormous benefits for the nation and the world. I also am pleased that the report notes the promise of our government's partnership with the energy and automotive industries to develop advanced energy-efficient passenger vehicles and the infrastructure to support them."
Continued Bodman, "I am proud of the work we are doing with our partners to eventually attain a clean and sustainable energy future through advances in combustion and hybrid vehicle technology, and ultimately with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. This research promotes President Bush's vision to strengthen our nation's energy security through new technologies, increased conservation, and improved electrical delivery infrastructure. President Bush will soon sign historic, comprehensive energy legislation that meets his priorities and puts our nation on a path to more energy independence."
The full report may be found at http://www.nap.edu/books/0309097304/html.