The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Vehicle Technologies Program manages research and development efforts to help make cars and trucks more energy-efficient, while at the same time developing technologies that will help transition the United States to using vehicles that do not require petroleum fuels. The Vehicle Technologies Program conducts its work through a variety of activity areas, as follows:
- Hybrid and Vehicle Systems Technologies — Analysis and testing activities that provide support and guidance for many cutting-edge automotive and truck technologies now under development.
- Energy Storage Technologies — Critical enabling battery technologies for the development of advanced, fuel-efficient, light-and-heavy-duty vehicles.
- Power Electronics & Electrical Machines Technologies — Motors, inverters/converters, sensors, control systems, and other interface elements that are critical to hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicles.
- Advanced Combustion Engines Technologies — Technologies that contribute to more efficient, advanced internal combustion engines in light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles.
- Fuels & Lubricants Technologies — Fuel and lubricant options that are cost-competitive, enable high fuel economy, deliver lower emissions, and contribute to petroleum displacement.
- Materials Technologies — Lightweight, high-performance materials that can play an important role in improving the efficiency of transportation engines and vehicles.
- EPAct — Programs in support of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), which was passed to reduce our nation's reliance on foreign petroleum and improved air quality.
- Educational Activities — Collegiate programs that help encourage engineering and science students to pursue careers in the transportation sector.