Program News
DOE Offers $30 Million in Cost-Share Funding for Improving PHEV Performance
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced in January $30 million in cost-share funding over the next three years for companies to design and build plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and test them in geographically diverse fleets.
The cost and performance of PHEV batteries are two critical issues that need to be resolved before DOE can reach its goal of PHEVs being on the market by 2016. The funding will be awarded to select projects that result in a PHEV battery range of 40 miles (PHEV-40) without recharging in vehicles that are comparable to current-production vehicles in terms of emissions, safety, and comfort. A 40-mile range covers the average daily roundtrip commute and 70% of daily travel in the U.S.
DOE will provide $7 million in fiscal year (FY) 2008 and $23 million in FYs 2009 and 2010. Awarded companies are required to match DOE funding by at least 50%.
Second-round applications are due on April 30. For more information, read DOE's press release or the funding solicitation on DOE's e-Center Web site.
