WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to $133 million in new and innovative advanced vehicle technologies research.  

 

DOE announced up to $133 million in new and innovative advanced vehicle technologies research. This funding supports research that will lead to more affordable, efficient, and secure transportation energy.
The Secretary of Energy, Mark Menezes, said the investment, which also includes money for research on hydrogen use and biofuels, would “further spur innovative breakthroughs in this sector.”
The following topic areas include:
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Batteries and Electrification (up to $40 million)
  • Lithium-ion batteries using silicon- based anodes
  • Low cost electric traction drive systems using no heavy rare earth materials utility managed smart charging supporting projects that will demonstrate managed and controlled charging loads for a large number of vehicles.

 

Advanced Combustion Engines and Fuels (up to $27.5 million)
  • Platinum group metals content reduction to enable cost-effective after-treatment for gasoline and diesel engines
  • Improved efficiency of medium- and heavy-duty natural gas and propane (LPG) engines
  • Energy-efficient off-road technologies directly applicable to agriculture sector and/or other off-road vehicles
  • Two-stroke, opposed-piston engine research and development

 

Materials Technology (up to $15 million)
  • Lightweight and high-performance fiber-reinforced polymer composites for vehicle applications

 

Energy Efficient Mobility Systems (up to $13.5 million)
  • Improving transportation system efficiency through better utilization
  • Enabling vehicle and infrastructure connectivity
  • Improving mobility, affordability, and energy efficiency through transit

 

Technology Integration (up to $36 million)
  • Gaseous fuels technology demonstration projects
  • Alternative fuel proof-of-concept in new communities and fleets
  • Electric vehicle and charging community partner projects
  • Technology integration open topic

 

Transportation and Energy Analysis (up to $1.2 million)
Concept papers for this funding opportunity are due February 21, 2020, and full applications will be due April 14, 2020. For more information and application requirements, please visit the EERE Exchange website or Grants.gov.

This recent funding was made possible through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to support projects like advanced batteries and electrification in support of the recently announced DOE Energy Storage Grand Challenge. The Energy Storage Grand Challenge is a comprehensive program to accelerate the development, commercialization, and utilization of next-generation energy storage technologies and sustain American global leadership in energy storage.

This FY 2020 funding opportunity also supports priorities in advanced engine and fuel technologies including technologies for off-road applications, lightweight materials, new mobility technologies (energy efficient mobility systems), and alternative fuels technology demonstrations.

The following are important documents and information to note for the vehicle technologies research funding.

 

DOCUMENTS

REQUIRED APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

Pursuant to the FOA, applicants are required to submit the “Required Application Documents” with their Application. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed or considered. View Required Application Documents

CONTACT INFORMATION

 

SUBMISSION DEADLINES

  • Concept Paper Submission Deadline: 2/21/2020 5:00 PM ET
  • Full Application Submission Deadline: 4/14/2020 5:00 PM ET

VIEW FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE 

NOTE: The $36 Million available for Technology Integration offers an opportunity to work with Clean Cities Coalitions on concept papers re specific alternative fuels projects.

In addition, the Technology integration Open Topic offers an opportunity to submit creative alternative fuel and infrastructure projects. We would welcome your thoughtful suggestions on potential projects across the Technology Integration topic.

TNCleanFuels has found that partnering, on good potential projects, with multiple Clean Cities organizations and stakeholders is received very positively by DOE reviewers. At TNCleanFuels we welcome the opportunity to partner with you on potential project concept papers and, if chosen, proposal submissions. TNCleanFuels can connect you also with the other Clean Cities coalitions nationwide for wider geographic projects.

If you have a project idea or would like more information contact ETCleanFuels Executive Director Jonathan Overly at 865-974-3625 or jonathan [at] etcleanfuels.org.