The Energy Department announced Tuesday up to $137 million in investments for two programs, subject to appropriations, to develop next generation technologies that will support industry in going beyond those standards, while also accelerating technology advances for passenger cars and light trucks.
One initiative, SuperTruck II, will fund four projects to develop and demonstrate cost-effective technologies that more than double the freight efficiency of Class 8 trucks, commonly known as 18-wheelers, said DOE.
Through another initiative, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Vehicle Technologies Office Program Wide Funding Opportunity Announcement selections, 35 new projects will receive $57 million to develop and deploy a wide array of cutting-edge vehicle technologies, including advanced batteries and electric drive systems, to reduce carbon emissions and petroleum consumption in passenger cars and light trucks, DOE said.
In 2010, the Energy Department launched the SuperTruck initiative to improve heavy-duty truck freight efficiency by 50 percent.
“These investments will accelerate the development of innovative vehicle technologies that will save businesses and consumers money at the pump, cut carbon emissions, and strengthen our economy,” said Acting Assistant Secretary David Friedman.
