DOE Awards $60 Million for Zero-Emission Truck, Car Projects
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The U.S. Department of Energy announced July 28 that it has directed $60 million toward projects meant to reduce emissions in trucks and cars.
The 24 awarded research and development projects aim to decarbonize the transportation sector and improve the infrastructure needed to sustain adoption of zero-emission vehicles.
Two projects, representing $5.1 million, will develop simulation tools to optimize the creation of advanced emissions systems for heavy-duty vehicles. These grants were awarded to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the West Virginia University Research Corp. The goal of these projects is to reduce exhaust emissions while improving commercial vehicle energy efficiency.
A $1.25 million award to @WestVirginiaU will aim to produce a higher amount of hydrogen gas – a clean fuel – with less electric power consumption. https://t.co/VaB0uEab2y — WVU Research (@wvuresearch) July 29, 2021
Gaining a better understanding of charging infrastructure needs for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is the subject of another three projects, which will be led by ElectroTempo Inc., Colorado State University and the Rocky Mountain Institute, according to DOE.
In Los Angeles, two projects were awarded a total of about $7.3 million. One project will involve the testing and evaluation of curb management to catalyze market adoption of electric vehicles. The other will focus on a cooperative traffic signal network for freight energy efficiency and safety.
“[This] announcement represents the federal government’s strong commitment to prioritize the health of our communities and our planet,” said U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) “Thanks to the Biden administration, the funds announced today by the U.S. Department of Energy will help ensure more electric vehicles on Los Angeles roads and fewer CO2 emissions in our skies.
Gomez
Clemson University was awarded about $5.7 million to develop lightweight materials to increase passenger and commercial vehicle efficiency.
Some $28.1 million was awarded to 12 projects that will concentrate on developing more advanced lithium batteries, improving the performance of the electrolytes that carry ions within batteries and increasing the power density of electric drive systems.
The projects were funded through DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s goal is to accelerate research, development and deployment of technologies in order to equitably transition the U.S. to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2050.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the transportation sector generates the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions. Passenger cars and light-duty trucks account for 58% of transportation sector emissions, while medium- and heavy-duty trucks account for 24%, EPA reports.
It's time to put the pedal to the metal and drive forward America's clean energy future! Our $60M for 20+ research projects will help advance EV and battery storage technology to make driving passenger cars and light- and heavy-duty trucks greener. https://t.co/dD73EoEbJM — U.S. Department of Energy (@ENERGY) July 28, 2021
“Fossil fuel-powered cars and trucks are a leading cause of air pollution and carbon emissions, and that is why we are focusing on decarbonizing the transportation sector to achieve President [Joe] Biden’s climate goals,” said Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. “Partnering with industry and leading research universities, DOE’s investment in these 24 projects will create technologies and techniques that will cut vehicle emissions and boost America’s competitiveness in the global clean energy market.”
Reducing emissions and promoting the adoption of electric vehicles have been encouraged at the federal level. Biden has established a goal to build a network of 500,000 electric vehicle chargers by 2030.
Biden’s budget proposal, released May 28, outlined $250 million in grants for transit agencies to purchase low- and zero-emission buses. Some $600 million was requested for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure in the individual budgets of 18 federal agencies.
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