Top Performers in 2006: Top Performers in 2006


New Technologies: New Technologies Ed Wall, Program Manager DOE Vehicle Technologies Program September 25, 2007


NEW TECHNOLOGIES: NEW TECHNOLOGIES The latest on emerging technologies including: New light-duty diesel product plans Vehicle conversion kits Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles E85 engine optimization


Current & Future LD Diesel Vehicle Availability: Current & Future LD Diesel Vehicle Availability 2007 Models Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC Sedan GL-Class (320/420) CDI ML320 CDI R320 CDI Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI Future Models Jeep Grand Cherokee with new Clean Diesel Engine Audi 2008 Q7 SUV BMW 2008 DaimlerChrysler 2009 Dodge Ford 2008 F-Series Honda 2010 4 cyl. engine Hyundai Nissan 2010 Maxima Volkswagen 2008 Jetta TDI


Slide5: MotorWeek Clip


Slide6: Initiate campaign to educate opinion makers and policymakers about the advances in diesel technology and the benefits that advanced diesels can provide for the economy, the environment, and for consumers. High visibility events that demonstrate technical advances to the public including motorsports campaigns. e.g., Audi R10 first diesel vehicle wins Le Mans and Sebring, (using DOE/Dow DPF). Marketing: Promoting diesel sales through advertising and through promotion of alternative fuel strategies that relate to diesels. Biodiesel projects to address customer interest in renewable fuel capability. Customer experience: The biggest gains in diesel acceptance will come through successful customer experience as more diesel vehicle models appear in the United States in 2008. EPA has a website: http://www.clean-diesel.org/ to educate and inform the public about diesel vehicles. Addressing Diesel’s Image Deficit


E85 Engine Optimization Efforts: E85 Engine Optimization Efforts Today’s FFVs are closer to “ethanol tolerant” than to “ethanol optimized” E85 FFVs have reduced fuel economy using E85 due to lower energy content of the fuel (relative to gasoline) Fuel economy penalty can be reduced due to ethanol’s properties (mainly high octane) DOE recently made seven awards to develop a production-intended, ethanol optimized engine for FFVs Production-intended Projects will run approximately 3 years Each has at least 50% cost share


Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Background What is a PHEV? A hybrid vehicle with batteries that can be recharged by connecting a plug to an electrical power source. Benefits include: improved fuel economy, electric utility power operating efficiency, and reduced greenhouse gases Barriers include battery cost and abuse tolerance, battery life, and uncertain consumer behavior DOE Efforts: DOE PHEV R&D Plan published DOE performing test/evaluation of Li-ion batteries and PHEV conversions $28M Li-ion Battery Solicitation issued through USABC 5 Power Electronics and Electric Machines projects selected in FY07 Analytic Studies (Vehicle modeling & simulation; National benefits & impacts) DOE continues to coordinate this work with National labs, Federal agencies, electric utilities, and other stakeholders. Industry Status: No OEM vehicles available today No EPA approved plug-in conversions currently available


Vehicle Conversions: Uncertainty with E85 & Plug-In Hybrid conversions The Department does not support or encourage the use of non-certified conversion kits An AFV needs to be engineered to be an AFV!!! Conversions are much more difficult and complex than most people realize Also, all systems must have EPA certification – and there are no certified FFV or PHEV kits at this time Despite this, pirate kits are now available over the internet Vehicle Conversions


Slide10: MotorWeek Clip


What you can do to help Vehicle Technologies: What you can do to help Vehicle Technologies We have expanded the range of technologies to be deployed under the Department’s purview Includes the traditional petroleum replacement by alternative fuels Expanded to include the broad range of efficiency-enhancing technologies within the VT portfolio, e.g., Light-duty diesel: potentially the most effective tool in our arsenal Idle Reduction Technologies for heavy-duty Advanced Hybrids & Plug-In Hybrids, as they become available Combination technologies: Ford Escape FFV Hybrid


Slide12: Challenge: Conventional transit buses use too much fuel and are not environmentally friendly - 81,000 buses use 550 million gallons of fuel/year (2004), capital equipment is $3.7 billion Description: Autokinetics has developed a bus that is 50% lighter but more durable than a conventional bus and is powered by batteries and will achieve a 3X improvement in fuel economy with a 150 mile range Impact: Significantly reduce fuel consumption for transit agencies while improving reliability and life, and reducing emissions and operating costs. IP: Autokinetics holds US patent no. 6,685,254 Status: Looking to build 5 buses for on-road testing with a transit agency and FTA Altoona Test certification. Will need full-scale structural test for certification. Eventually will develop and install small diesel engine for a hybrid system to extend range Available for commercial licensing by manufacturer Seeking partner to develop production ready bus Design and fabricate lightweight frame, all electrical components, and use sodium nickel chloride batteries (high energy density, long cycle life, large % discharge) for power. 50% lighter, stronger, 3X fuel economy, no emissions UltraLight Electric Transit Bus