WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy announced $50 million for new and innovative research of technologies for trucks, off-road vehicles, and the fuels that power them.
Funded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), these selections highlight the DOE’s priorities in gaseous fuels research, including natural gas, biopower, and hydrogen; heavy-duty freight electrification; hydrogen infrastructure and fuel cell technologies for heavy-duty applications; and energy efficient off-road vehicles.
“As the fastest growing fuel users in the United States, it is important our trucking industry has access to advanced technologies, such as electrification and fuel cells, as a way to move goods efficiently and economically,” said Under Secretary of Energy Mark W. Menezes. “EERE has a strong track record of successful investment in the research and development of a broad portfolio of technologies, including electrification, advanced combustion engines, and fuels such as natural gas, hydrogen, and biofuels, that can significantly improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of transportation energy. These selections reinforce DOE’s commitment to sustainable transportation options.”
Economic growth requires the movement of goods. Trucks carry more than 70% of the nation’s freight on both a tonnage and value basis—at some point on their way from manufacturer to consumer, virtually all goods travel by truck. The movement of goods requires energy, and medium- and heavy-duty trucks (Class 3-8) consume 25% of annual vehicle fuel use, despite comprising only 4% of the total number of U.S. on-road vehicles. Off-road vehicles account for 8% of the total energy consumed in the U.S. transportation sector and are used in key domestic industries, including construction, agriculture, and mining. Energy use by trucks is also growing. U.S. Energy Information Administration projections indicate that the freight truck sector’s annual vehicle miles traveled will increase by 54% by 2050.
Hydrogen Projects and Funding Selected Include
- Northwestern University -Theory-Guided Design and Discovery of Materials for Reversible Methane and Hydrogen Storage-$1,000,000
- NEL Hydrogen Inc– High-Speed and Dynamic Diaphragm Compressor for High-Capacity Fueling- $2,000,000
- Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.– Ultra-Cryopump for High-Demand Transportation Fueling- $1,674,100
- Electricore, Inc.– High-Pressure, High-Flow Rate Dispenser and Nozzle Assembly for Heavy-Duty Vehicles-$2,999,037
Fuel Cell Projects and Funding Selected Include
- General Motors– Durable Fuel Cell MEA through Immobilization of Catalyst Particle and Membrane Chemical Stabilizer- $1,998,518
- Nikola Motor Company– Durable MEAs for Heavy-Duty Fuel Cell Electric Truck- $1,700,000
- Carnegie Mellon University– Durable High Power Density Fuel Cell Cathodes for Heavy-Duty Vehicles- $2,000,000
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