Introduction to the ERDA electric and hybrid vehicle demonstration project

Technical Report · Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:7110851

A description is given of a Federal program of research, development, and demonstration designed to promote electric and hybrid vehicle technologies and to demonstrate the commercial feasibility of electric and hybrid vehicles. It is required that the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development and Demonstration Project be established as an organizational entity in ERDA; that research and development be conducted on electric and hybrid vehicles; that a two-part demonstration involving up to 7,500 vehicles be conducted; that certain specified studies be conducted; and that a program of financial incentives involving planning grants and loan guarantees be implemented. The legislative history of this Act is summarized. Current electric cars typically have ranges of 20 to 40 miles between 8-hour recharges, and a few models are currently commercially available. Hybrid vehicles are at an earlier stage of development, and none are commercially available. Notwithstanding the severe limitations of today's electric and hybrid vehicles, the potential for performance improvements and petroleum savings of such advanced technology vehicles is large. Emerging vehicle systems builders can draw on the accelerated technology through acquisition of improved competitively developed components, technology reports, and specifications. Further feedback to both systems and component developers will be provided through dissemination of user data from the demonstration program. An approach for implementation of the financial incentives for small business and loan guarantees as well as studies into other incentive areas as authorized in the legislation is discussed. Social and economic impacts are considered, and safety aspects are discussed. (PMA)

• Research Organization: Energy Research and Development Administration, Washington, DC (USA). Div. of Transportation Energy Conservation
• OSTI ID: 7110851
• Report Number(s): ERHQ-0008
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
AUTOMOBILES
HYBRID SYSTEMS
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
US ERDA
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
SAFETY
SOCIAL IMPACT
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
US ORGANIZATIONS
VEHICLES
330300* - Advanced Propulsion Systems- Electric-Powered Systems
330400 - Advanced Propulsion Systems- Hybrid Systems