Draft Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle R&D Plan
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is supporting the development of hybrid vehicles with the ability to operate in both electrical/mechanical and electric-only modes recharging from a standard electric outlet because of the potential national benefits of substantially shifting fuel from petroleum to electricity. The Advanced Energy Initiative (AEI) announced by the President in the 2006 State of the Union describes plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) as a way to dramatically increase energy efficiency and utilize spare electric generating capacity.
The DOE Office of FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies (FCVT) conducts research and development targeting more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly highway transportation technologies that enable America to use less petroleum. This research includes work on hybrid and electric propulsion technologies. The long-term aim is to develop "leap frog" technologies that improve vehicle energy efficiency and bolster energy security efforts at lower costs and with lower environmental impacts than currently used vehicles. The program focuses its investments specifically on technologies with uncertain or long-term outcomes that may have significant public benefit, if achieved.
FCVT, in consultation with industry and other appropriate DOE offices, developed the Draft Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle R&D Plan (PDF 2.4 MB) to accelerate the development and deployment of technologies critical for plug-in hybrid vehicles. This plan addresses all aspects of R&D from technology assessment through production readiness. The necessary development of batteries and electric drive components is described, including near- and mid-term R&D activities as well as long-term fundamental research. It also relies on analytical studies to quantify the potential national benefits of PHEVs, and the monitoring of global policy and technological developments to find opportunities for beneficial collaboration and stay aware of the latest advances from around the world.
The public comment period for this draft PHEV R&D Plan has ended. The Office of FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies is currently reviewing the feedback received and will release the final plan in the near future. Once released, the plan will be available for download through this page.