DOE to award $184 million in grants for advanced vehicle research

Posted on December 16, 2010

The U.S. Department of Energy today announced $184 million of available grants for advanced vehicle research and development.

The grants are available to industry, laboratory and university teams in R&D toward eight vehicle projects:

• Advanced fuels and lubricants that can provide more efficient performance in advanced combustion engines.

• Design, prototyping and testing of a vehicle that is 50 percent lighter than the average passenger vehicle, using lightweight materials.

• Advanced battery cells and design technology for advanced batteries.

• Advanced power electronics and electric motor technology.

• Thermoelectric technologies that turn engine heat waste into electricity.

• Development of tire and driver feedback technologies that improve fuel efficiency for fleet vehicles.

• Development of advanced vehicle testing and evaluation procedures.

“These awards will help ensure America leads the world in the development of advanced vehicle technologies that support cost-competitive, convenient, and comfortable fuel-efficient vehicles,” U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said in Washington D.C. today.

“Investments in the next generation of vehicle technologies are laying the groundwork for a sustainable transportation sector in America that strengthens our economy and improves our economic competitiveness.”

Applications are due by Feb. 28, 2011. The DOE expects to award the grants during the summer of 2011.

For more information, go to www.grants.gov.