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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and American automotive manufacturers General Motors, Ford,
and DaimlerChrysler began a five-year, cost-shared partnership in 1993. Currently, hybrid electric vehicle
(HEV) research and development is conducted by DOE through its FreedomCAR and Vehicle
Technologies (FCVT) program. The mission of the FCVT program is to develop more energy efficient
and environmentally friendly highway transportation technologies. Program activities include research,
development, demonstration, testing, technology validation, and technology transfer. These activities are
aimed at developing technologies that can be domestically produced in a clean and cost-competitive
manner.
Under the FCVT program, support is provided through a three-phase approach [1] which is intended to:
• Identify overall propulsion and vehicle-related needs by analyzing programmatic goals and
reviewing industry’s recommendations and requirements, then develop the appropriate technical
targets for systems, subsystems, and component research and development activities;
• Develop and validate individual subsystems and components, including electric motors, emission
control devices, battery systems, power electronics, accessories, and devices to reduce parasitic
losses; and
• Determine how well the components and subassemblies work together in a vehicle environment or
as a complete propulsion system and whether the efficiency and performance targets at the vehicle
level have been achieved.
The research performed in this area will help remove technical and cost barriers to enable technology for
use in such advanced vehicles as hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, electric, and fuel-cell-powered
vehicles.
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