The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced $19.4 million in funding for the Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), which is earmarked for 22 new cost-shared projects aimed at developing new technologies.
The funding, “reasserts that investment in advanced, energy efficient transportation technologies and systems will improve our nation’s energy security, help consumers and businesses save money on transportation energy costs, and strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness,” the DOE said.
Funding was distributed in four categories: battery projects, low-cost carbon fiber, emission control strategies for advanced combustible engines and EEMS research and development.
The largest award was $3.7 million to Western Research Institute in Laramie, Wyoming. The institute is using feed stocks to develop computational tools for low-cost carbon fiber.
The smallest award was $225,000 to Wayne State University in Detroit for the development of high-energy Li-metal batteries.
Battery projects will receive an additional $1 million in funding from the Department of Army through the Advanced Vehicle Power Technology Alliance.
The VTO supports the research and development of sustainable technologies that will lessen the nation’s reliance on petroleum, improve energy efficiency and fuel economy.
In 2015, the United States spent $500 million daily importing oil, 70 percent of which was used for transportation.