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High visibility events that demonstrate technical advances to the public including motorsports campaigns. e.g., Audi R10 first diesel vehicle ...
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New Technologies Ed Wall, Program Manager DOE Vehicle Technologies Program September 25, 2007
The latest on emerging technologies including: New light-duty diesel product plans Vehicle conversion kits Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles E85 engine optimization NEW TECHNOLOGIES
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 Current & Future LD Diesel Vehicle Availability
Addressing Diesel’s Image Deficit • 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.
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 • 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
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
UltraLight Electric Transit Bus • 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