This is an excerpt from EERE Network News, a weekly electronic newsletter.

February 13, 2013

DOE Seeks Comment on Efforts to Improve Vehicle Performance, Fuel Economy

The Energy Department on February 1 invited public comment on an upcoming solicitation totaling more than $50 million for new research projects that will develop advanced technologies to improve vehicle performance and increase fuel economy. The Department is distributing a draft of the solicitation and will release the final version after a period of public comment and revision.

The draft proposes funds for projects across five major areas of vehicle technology research and development: advanced lightweighting and propulsion materials; advanced battery development; power electronics; advanced heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems; and fuels and lubricants. As part of the Advanced Vehicle Power Technology Alliance between the Energy Department and the U.S. Department of the Army, the Army plans to contribute $3.5 million in co-funding for several areas where there are joint development opportunities.

When the final funding opportunity announcement is released following the public comment period, the Energy Department will accept applications from industry, national laboratories, and university-led teams to address these challenges and enable technologies that drive innovation in vehicle design. See the Energy DepartmentProgress Alert, the draft solicitation, and the Vehicle Technologies Office website.