US DOE launches research project to develop clean and fuel efficient trucks

8 March 2000

Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson announced a $30 to 50 million research project between the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the heavy-duty vehicle industry. Over the next five years, the joint research effort will help researchers develop more energy-efficient trucks, ranging from pickup trucks/sport utility vehicles to eighteen-wheelers. Seven teams from the industry will join the DOE to develop clean energy technologies that will make trucks cleaner, more fuel efficient, and promote the use of alternative fuels.

"The research partnerships between the federal government and the private sector are critical to reducing America's reliance on imported oil, maintaining economic viability of our industries, and improving air quality," said Secretary Richardson. "With projections indicating that trucks will use twice as much fuel as cars by 2020, it is critical that we look to improve fuel efficiency and clean energy technologies."

Approximately $5 million will be awarded this fiscal year. Three teams will develop hybrid propulsion systems utilizing a natural gas engine with an electric powertrain for buses and urban duty trucks, such as delivery vans and heavy-duty vehicles. The following teams will match DOE funding at a one-to-one ratio:

• Electricore, Indianapolis, Indiana with Allison Transmission, Indianapolis, Indiana;
• ARCADIS Geraghty and Miller, Mountain View, California with Freightliner Corp., Portland, Oregon, ISE Research, San Diego, California, Detroit Diesel Corporation, Detroit, Michigan and University of California-Davis, Davis, California; and
• Nova Bus Inc., Roswell, New Mexico with Lockheed Martin Control Systems, Johnson City, New York.

In addition, four other research teams from industry will develop advanced components to reduce the fuel consumption and emissions from truck diesel engines. Due to the higher risk nature of this cutting-edge research project, the following teams will match Energy Department funding at a one-to-three ratio:

• AlliedSignal, Torrance, California with NAVISTAR, Melrose Park, Illinois, and Turbodyne Inc., Carpinteria, California;
• Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Illinois;
• Noxtech Inc., Irvine, California with Mack Trucks Inc., Hagerstown, Maryland, John Deere, Waterloo, Iowa; and;
• Hi-Z Inc., San Diego, California with Kenworth Truck Company, Kirkland, Washington.

Source: US DOE