Seemingly in direct response to Ford Mark Fields’ request for more government funding when it comes to developing plug-in hybrids, the U.S. Department of Energy announced yesterday it will offer up to $30 million over three years to further the cause.
The money will be spent on three Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), helping to develop a cost-competitive PHEV by 2014 and one that’s ready for commercialization by 2016. The government will work with three auto manufacturers, to be chosen between now and 2011. The selected partners will need to match the DOE’s investment in developing a vehicle that is capable of travelling 40 miles without recharging.
After the first round of applications, the first three manufacturers that are being considered are the Detroit-based Big Three. General Motors will co-op with the DOE on a project meant to develop lithium-ion battery packs, charging systems, powertrain development as well as vehicle integration and validation. The resulting PHEVs will then be tested in three U.S. regions with varying environments over a three-year period.
With the DOE’s help, Ford would focus on developing a commercial mass-production system for PHEVs, including developing battery systems and creating prototypes.
General Electric, which yesterday partnered with Chrysler, will concentrate on the integration of a new dual-battery energy storage system into vehicles.
A second round of applications is due for announcement on July 18.
“The projects announced today demonstrate a shared public-private sector commitment to advance clean vehicle technologies and will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil while also confronting the serious challenge of global climate change,” said DOE Assistant Secretary Andy at yesterday’s Plug-In Electric Vehicles 2008: What Role for Washington? conference.
06/13, 9:44 AM
posted by:
xyunya
My tax dollar at work!. 30 million in 3 years will yield a government study saying hybrids can save energy dependence. The report will be prepared either by Halliburton Corporation if McCain reside in White House or The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP),if Obama moves in.
06/13, 9:50 AM
posted by:
Buhbye
This sounds all well and good, except 30 million is chump-change for a project like this. The Saudis, and others who would like to kill all of us, will be buying the politicians we voted for, spending a lot more than 30 million. What’s next, government-supplied garden trolls to drill for new oil off American shores?
06/13, 9:53 AM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
Well, xyunya, I have to agree with you here. You’d think with all the money they give to third world nations we could spend a little more on advancing ourselves.
06/13, 10:12 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
30 whole million, eh? They probably spend that much on fuel in Iraq before breakfast is served.
06/13, 10:26 AM
posted by:
xyunya
johnnycanuck, you must be an optimist. I think 30 mils are stolen in Iraq before breakfast is served, without benefit of fuel or breakfast.
06/13, 10:39 AM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
Next up, Mark Fields will whine this is not enough money and will demand more.
06/13, 11:04 AM
posted by:
global_lightning
By 2011 Toyota will have a plug-in hybrid that can do this, and Honda may change it’s resistance to the concept.
This money would be better invested in a hydrogen and CNG distribution infrastructure
Big Three = Welfare Queens
06/13, 11:09 AM
posted by:
xyunya
This money will be better invested in taxpayers accounts. I think we know what to do with our money. Couple of million useless programs like this one can add up to another cash rebate, which did help economy.
06/13, 11:09 AM
posted by:
injunraiv
global, have you missed the articles saying GM will have one by 2010? And BTW GM was the first to introduce the concept? And there are allegations that Toyota’s Hybrid program was secretly funded by the Japanese government?
06/13, 11:22 AM
posted by:
global_lightning
If I had a nickel for every great concept GM promised to deliver, I’d be a rich man. If I had a nickel for every great GM concept that actually made it into production, I’d be in debt. GM has a history of promising the world and delivering far less.
As far as allegations go, without proof then they’re just speculation. The Big Three have been recieving government assistance for alternatives since the 1970’s (including money GM used for the EV1, where’s that car now???) and we’ve have had a very, very poor return on our investment.
06/13, 11:23 AM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
Yes global_lightning, and no other company made promises they could not keep, like a Prisu that actually came close to getting its posted fuel economy numbers.
06/13, 12:22 PM
posted by:
The Stig
Next, Mark Fields will want the government to subsidize his use of the corporate jet.
06/13, 12:46 PM
posted by:
xyunya
NoNameDenton1, what Prius numbers have to do with my government pissing away 30 mils of tax money? If Japan did invest money into research, one way or another, they got return on their money in form of taxes from Toyota on their record profits. Where and when I will see return on research investment by our government for benefit of Big 3?
06/13, 7:11 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
Read global_lightning’s post xyunya, he complains about GM making promises with concepts that never come true, I was just pointing out that Toyota does the same thing.
06/13, 9:40 PM
posted by:
DialM4Speed
Hybrids and electric cars are such a WASTE OF ****ING TIME!!! Where the hell you gonna get all the power to charge these damn things from? The power system in this country is alread strained as ****! Leave that hybrid/electric **** alone and get on hydrogen or that algae fuel or even biodiesel!!
06/13, 9:51 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
DialM4Speed, many companies are already investing in ways to recharge these vehicles when they become a reality.
06/14, 1:57 AM
posted by:
jdasch1
$30 million is a joke. BIG OIL AT WORK!
06/14, 4:06 AM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
Yes jdasch1, it is all a conspiracy by big oil, and the alien spacecrat are flying around Area 51, and so forth.