DOE Invests in PHEV Research

The U.S. Department of Energy is investing nearly $20 million in plug-in hybrid electric vehicle research. PHEVs have the potential to displace a large amount of gasoline by delivering up to 40 miles of range without recharging, the distance of most round-trip daily commutes.

Five projects are being cost-shared with the U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium, allowing up to $38 million for research and development. The companies chosen for the projects include EnerDel Inc. in Indiana; A123Systems in Massachusetts; Compact Power Inc. in Michigan; 3M in Minnesota; and Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions in Wisconsin. The projects focus on developing batteries and cells for 10- and 40-mile range PHEVs and building small cells to test new cathode materials.

In addition, the University of Michigan will receive nearly $2 million to explore the future of PHEVs in a two-year study conducted with DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, General Motors, Ford Motor Co., and DTE Energy. The study will evaluate how PHEVs would share the power grid with other energy needs; assess the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; and identify how automakers can optimize PHEV design to increase performance and reduce cost.