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Letter Report
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From page 1... ... However, it also emphasizes the need for continued investment in longer-term, higher-risk, higher-payoff vehicle technologies that could be highly transformational with regard to reduced use of petroleum and reduced emissions. Such technologies include advanced batteries, technologies for hydrogen storage, and hydrogen/fuel cells. Read the entire page →
From page 2... ... , the United States Council for Automotive Research (USCAR; its members are Chrysler LLC, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors Corporation) , five key energy companies (BP America, Chevron Corporation, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil Corporation, and Shell Hydrogen [U.S.] Read the entire page →
From page 3... ... concluded that hydrogen-fueled fuel cell vehicles offer greater long-term potential for reducing U.S. dependence on imported petroleum and reducing carbon emissions significantly by 2050 than would relying only on fuel economy improvements (e.g., through engine efficiency improvements) Read the entire page →
From page 4... ... For the Partnership, the net effect will be determined partially by the DOE's FY2010 budget request (Chu, 2009) that "cuts less effective programs so we can invest in our economic future." One of the examples mentioned by Secretary Chu is "moving away from funding vehicular hydrogen fuel cells to technologies with more immediate promise." This approach is indeed reflected in the DOE FY2010 budget request to Congress for $0 for hydrogen technologies as compared to $168,960,000 for FY2009 (DOE, 2009b) Read the entire page →
From page 5... ... could have a significant impact on both the technological and the societal goals of the Partnership. Among these, in addition to changes in Administration/DOE priorities, are advances in battery technologies, the continued evolution of biofuels, promising basic ICE research on fuels and combustion processes, increased emphasis on reducing GHG emissions, important advances in learning from vehicle and fuel cell demonstration programs, other basic research programs, and economic issues for both the auto industry and the nation as a whole. Read the entire page →
From page 6... ... In the PNGV many forms of energy storage and conversion technologies such as flywheels, fuel cells, and ultracapacitors, in addition to a range of batteries, were considered in an effort to meet the miles per gallon (mpg) fuel economy goal of "up to 80 mpg." That work concluded with all three of the PNGV concept cars embracing the HEV configuration using batteries and small diesel engines (NRC, 2000, 2001) Read the entire page →
From page 7... ... ICE Emerging T echnologies5 The successful development of biofuel production technologies such as cellulosic ethanol may offer synergistic opportunities with the advanced combustion technologies that are being researched within the Partnership. Successful technologies for the production of biofuels and advanced technologies for the use of biofuels in vehicles could impact the technology pathway and requisite timeline in which PHEVs, BEVs, and hydrogen-fueled fuel cell vehicles are introduced. Read the entire page →
From page 8... ... New corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards enacted in late 2007 set an aggressive time line for improvement in vehicle fuel economy regardless of oil prices and resulting market demand. Read the entire page →
From page 9... ... As is noted in Conclusion 1 of a recent NRC (2008b) report, "A portfolio of technologies including hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, improved efficiency of conventional vehicles, hybrids, and the use of biofuels -- in conjunction with required new public drivers -- has the potential to nearly eliminate gasoline use in lightduty vehicles by the middle of the century, while reducing fleet greenhouse gases to less 9 Read the entire page →
From page 10... ... • Incorporating the broader scope of a "cradle-to-grave" analysis rather than a "well-to-wheels" approach in program planning from production to recycle to better consider total energy consumption, total emissions, and total environmental impact.6 • Emphasizing R&D to support development of nearer-term technologies (such as advanced ICEs, and better batteries for HEVs and PHEVs) and long-term technologies (such as cellulosic-based and other non-food-crop biofuels/ICEs, hydrogen/fuel cell vehicles, and all-electric vehicles) Read the entire page →
From page 11... ... For example, innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors rely on stable policies and incentives to evaluate the risks and benefits of pursuing alternative technologies and thereby allocate private resources efficiently. An environment of stable and predictable incentives for vehicle technologies could be created in several ways, including the establishment of predictable carbon prices, a carbon trading plan, performance standards, and policies or incentives to reduce energy imports, as well as commitments with long enough timescales to encourage active participation.9 The committee recognizes that the Partnership does not have complete control of the broader market and policy environment. Read the entire page →
From page 12... ... The committee also suggests that the lightweight materials program continue to be an integral part of the efforts for improving fuel efficiency for vehicles that would utilize both nearer-term and longer-term technologies. Implementation The following are some committee suggestions for the Partnership for implementing efforts to deal with the changes in the automotive sector and the goals the Administration is pursuing: • Consider temporary reductions in cost-share requirements for a number of joint program efforts. Read the entire page →
From page 13... ... Roan, Chair Committee on Review of the Research Program of the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership, Phase 3 Cc: Patrick Davis, DOE Office of V ehicle Technologies Keith Hardy, DOE Office of V ehicle Technologies Carl Maronde, DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory Ken Howden, DOE Office of V ehicle Technologies Attachments I Committee on Review of the Research Program of the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership, Phase 3 II. Read the entire page →
From page 14... ... 2009a. Addendum to the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership Plan to Integrate Electric Utility Industry Representatives. Read the entire page →
From page 15... ... . Presentation to the Committee on Review of the Research Program of the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership, Phase 3, April 27, Washington, D.C. Read the entire page →

From page 1...

... However, it also emphasizes the need for continued investment in longer-term, higher-risk, higher-payoff vehicle technologies that could be highly transformational with regard to reduced use of petroleum and reduced emissions. Such technologies include advanced batteries, technologies for hydrogen storage, and hydrogen/fuel cells.

Letter Report Pages 1-15

Letter Report
Pages 1-15