The US Department of Energy has announced the US DRIVE co-operative partnership, which aims to accelerate the development of clean, advanced and energy efficient technologies for cars and light trucks.
As part of the announcement, US DRIVE also sees the addition of two new members: the Electric Power Research Institute and Tesla Motors. Other automotive partners include Chrysler, Ford and General Motors; while there are partnerships in the energy industry with BP America, Chevron Corporation, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil Corporation, and Shell Oil Products US; and in the electric utility industry with DTE Energy and Southern California Edison.
Previously known as the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership, the concept of US DRIVE is a non-binding and voluntary partnership that acts as a forum for technical information exchange among partners to discuss research and development; and to develop joint goals and technology road maps.
It is hoped that the partnership will help accelerate technical progress and avoid duplication of efforts to ensure that publicly funded research delivers high value results.
In particular, it will focus on advanced combustion and emission control; batteries/electrochemical energy storage; electric propulsion systems; fuel cell power systems; lightweight materials; vehicle systems and analysis; vehicle-to-electricity grid interaction; fuel pathway integration; on-board hydrogen storage; hydrogen production; hydrogen delivery; and hydrogen codes and standards.
