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    Dept. of Energy Announces $175 Million in Grants to Improve Fuel Efficiency

    By Rachel Bogart | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Thu, Aug 11, 2011
    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
    Do you have a story to tell? Become a Yahoo! contributor

    The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that it is awarding over $175 million in grants to projects aimed to improve fuel efficiency of next generation vehicles in the U.S.

    The funding will go toward 40 different projects in 15 states over the next three to five years. The projects will research and develop a wide array of advanced vehicle technologies and ultimately helping to improve the efficiency of vehicles.

    Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu said, "The Department of Energy is investing in new advanced technologies that will significantly improve vehicle fuel economy, save consumers money, and create skilled jobs for Americans. Investments in the next generation of autos will strengthen our economy and lead to a more fuel-efficient, clean energy future."

    The projects will focus on one of eight aspects of advanced vehicles technologies. These include the research and development of advanced fuels and lubricants (eight projects), light-weight materials (five projects), light weight multi-material prototype (two projects), advanced cells and design technology for electric drive batteries (twelve projects), advanced power electronics and electric motor technology (four projects), thermoelectric and enabling engine technology (three projects), fleet efficiency (five projects), and advanced vehicle testing and evaluation (one project).

    Projects in Michigan will be getting a large portion of the funding, according to an article from the Chicago Tribune. Several Michigan projects, including that of General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler, will be getting about $45 million from the DOE. The Detroit News added that the DOE received more than 400 applicants and that Detroit's Big Three automakers were chosen out of the large applicant pool. General Motors will be investing in projects to develop high performance, low-cost power module technologies and thermoelectric generators to make its Warren Tech Center most efficient in its operations. Chrysler will be putting its $10 million towards developing cost-effective and lightweight materials to help reduce vehicle weight and increase efficiency of these vehicles.

    According to Yahoo! News, on Aug. 2, President Barack Obama announced an agreement with 13 major automakers to raise the fuel economy to 54.5 miles per gallon by model year 2025. This fuel economy goal is nearly double what the current level is. So far the agreeing automakers include Ford, GM, Chrysler, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar/Land Rover, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota and Volvo. Overall, increasing the fuel economy will help reduce the country's consumption of oil and also encourage automakers to invest in hybrid and electric vehicle development.

    Rachel Bogart provides an in-depth look at current environmental issues and local Chicago news stories. As a college student from the Chicago suburbs pursuing two science degrees, she applies her knowledge and passion to both topics to garner further public awareness.

     

    2 comments

    • MartinK
      MartinK  •  9 mths ago
      Good news everybody! I just found $175 million we can cut out of the US budget!
    • JohnnieW
      JohnnieW  •  9 mths ago
      The Department of energy just like the Deptartment of education shoule be shut down they do nothing but have tripled in size/
     Post a comment
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