Roadmap for Electrically Powered Transportation System in the US
This set of notes and thoughts comes from a sub topic by David Rogers at the 2008 Electric Drive Transportation Association conference event. Charged Up: Roadmap for an electrically powered Transportation System.
In the last year alone (2008) we've decreased emissions 5% in the US (which is the same as CAFE requirements in 2017) based primarily on recession and high fuel prices, but now oil prices have dropped again and the trend in reduced gasoline consumption may change. One option in reducing emissions is a recession and has us acting "out of need". Another option is to invest in advanced technologies while continuing to maintain a vibrant economy and avoiding need based reactionary decision making. The DOE (department of energy) is working on programs that decouple transportation from oil in the US.
Oil dependence represents a threat to America's national security and economic strength. Energy security cannot be improved without addressing dependence and cannot be reduced without addressing transportation. With the mass adoption of EV's we can draw our power from a wide variety of domestic energy resources. Oil does not have to drop to zero, we want to be more in control. Cost effective alternatives including flex fuel, advanced diesel, hybrids and other technologies that are available today. We can continue up this curve by developing biodiesel, plugin hybrids, and ethanol, fuel cell, and fuel electric vehicles.
The DOE's portfolio includes R&D on batteries, electric drive components, hydrogen fuel cell systems (including Hydrogen production and storage). It's how vehicles are used, not just individual performance that can make a real difference. Batteries that can deliver 40 mile range for example, electric drive only, would be a huge step. For example, the battery is cheaper for a 10 mile range hybrid and more would be more affordable and thus widespread, so any progress coupled with penetration will equal oil displacement. We don't have to have the perfect solution today, there is an equilibrium in adoption and affordability. Working to fund this type of development, DOE funding for PHEV's has grown $46M in 2006 to $69M in 2007 $86M in 2008 appropriation.
DOE is focused on making sure we have the right technology performance and cost performance. Many people argue that battery cost is too high. We would all like cheaper batteries but there are many innovative business models which are making money today, so progress isn't completely stopped by the battery challenge. It's not about the perfect solution, today's solutions that make business sense are leading the way to the final best products. The importance of having an agile grid (metering, flexible rates, generation and distribution). Customer acceptance relies on value proposition, information and education and warranties with battery replacement models. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good, there are too many engineers tackling this problem and not enough MBA's. We need a program that can warranty a five year battery coupled with partnerships in batteries that will continue to evolve.
Supporting Battery R&D contracts awarded through USABC (US Battery Consortium) to address performance, cost and life. We can currently supply 75M hybrids in the US without generating more electricity, just using off peak charging via a smart grid. Currently a testing program in place for plugin hybrid conversions. $30M program for the demonstration of production intent of PHEV's. Contracts to Chrysler, Ford, and GM. Working on a value proposition study representing consumer, manufacture, and utility needs.
Joan Milliken driving the fuel cell
Today announcing an additional $29M in cost-shared research projects for Advanced Vehicle technology development. Battery materials and manufacturing makes up $14M to improve performance and manufacturing processes for PHEV's. $13M to accelerate HVAC development in vehicles (Ford and GM) and $3M investment in aerodynamic trailers.
Working closely with the strategic development conference in China. For more information contact vehicle Technologies program http://vehicles.energy.gov
In the last year alone (2008) we've decreased emissions 5% in the US (which is the same as CAFE requirements in 2017) based primarily on recession and high fuel prices, but now oil prices have dropped again and the trend in reduced gasoline consumption may change. One option in reducing emissions is a recession and has us acting "out of need". Another option is to invest in advanced technologies while continuing to maintain a vibrant economy and avoiding need based reactionary decision making. The DOE (department of energy) is working on programs that decouple transportation from oil in the US.
Oil dependence represents a threat to America's national security and economic strength. Energy security cannot be improved without addressing dependence and cannot be reduced without addressing transportation. With the mass adoption of EV's we can draw our power from a wide variety of domestic energy resources. Oil does not have to drop to zero, we want to be more in control. Cost effective alternatives including flex fuel, advanced diesel, hybrids and other technologies that are available today. We can continue up this curve by developing biodiesel, plugin hybrids, and ethanol, fuel cell, and fuel electric vehicles.
The DOE's portfolio includes R&D on batteries, electric drive components, hydrogen fuel cell systems (including Hydrogen production and storage). It's how vehicles are used, not just individual performance that can make a real difference. Batteries that can deliver 40 mile range for example, electric drive only, would be a huge step. For example, the battery is cheaper for a 10 mile range hybrid and more would be more affordable and thus widespread, so any progress coupled with penetration will equal oil displacement. We don't have to have the perfect solution today, there is an equilibrium in adoption and affordability. Working to fund this type of development, DOE funding for PHEV's has grown $46M in 2006 to $69M in 2007 $86M in 2008 appropriation.
DOE is focused on making sure we have the right technology performance and cost performance. Many people argue that battery cost is too high. We would all like cheaper batteries but there are many innovative business models which are making money today, so progress isn't completely stopped by the battery challenge. It's not about the perfect solution, today's solutions that make business sense are leading the way to the final best products. The importance of having an agile grid (metering, flexible rates, generation and distribution). Customer acceptance relies on value proposition, information and education and warranties with battery replacement models. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good, there are too many engineers tackling this problem and not enough MBA's. We need a program that can warranty a five year battery coupled with partnerships in batteries that will continue to evolve.
Supporting Battery R&D contracts awarded through USABC (US Battery Consortium) to address performance, cost and life. We can currently supply 75M hybrids in the US without generating more electricity, just using off peak charging via a smart grid. Currently a testing program in place for plugin hybrid conversions. $30M program for the demonstration of production intent of PHEV's. Contracts to Chrysler, Ford, and GM. Working on a value proposition study representing consumer, manufacture, and utility needs.
Joan Milliken driving the fuel cell
Today announcing an additional $29M in cost-shared research projects for Advanced Vehicle technology development. Battery materials and manufacturing makes up $14M to improve performance and manufacturing processes for PHEV's. $13M to accelerate HVAC development in vehicles (Ford and GM) and $3M investment in aerodynamic trailers.
Working closely with the strategic development conference in China. For more information contact vehicle Technologies program http://vehicles.energy.gov
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