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The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office has funded hundreds of projects across the country that advance affordable, domestic transportation fuels and technologies.

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Project Initiative/Award Awardee Status Date
Integrated Fuel Cell Electric Powertrain Demonstration 2020 Innovative Vehicle Technologies Projects Cummins Inc. In progress Oct 2020

States impacted:

  • California
  • Indiana
  • Ohio

Integrated Fuel Cell Electric Powertrain Demonstration

Heavy-duty fuel cell electric vehicles still face technological and market challenges that need to be overcome to advance the adoption and commercialization of hydrogen technologies. In particular, the integration and packaging of the different components of a fuel cell electric powertrain is complex and remains costly. In addition, hydrogen fuel prices remain high, the cost of fuel cell stacks and hydrogen fuel storage solutions is still high, and there is a need to increase hydrogen storage energy density. Cummins proposes to design, build, test, and demonstrate a fuel cell electric powertrain for heavy-duty trucks and buses that can help reduce costs and advance the commercialization of hydrogen vehicles. The proposed fuel cell powertrain technology offers the following benefits: 1) Vertically integrated powertrain, 2) Modular and scalable, 3) Highly integrated and manufacturable, 4) Increased driving range, 5) Increased fuel economy, 6) Rapid refueling, 7) 1:1 replacement of conventional vehicles, and 8) Total cost of ownership reduction.

For more information on this project, check the Technology Integration 2021 Annual Report or Annual Merit Review presentation.

Learn more about the 2020 Innovative Vehicle Technologies Projects.

$3,443,000 award from DOE

$3,766,000 matching funds (cost share)

Smart Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Station Deployment 2019 Commercial Trucks and Off-Road Applications Gas Technology Institute In progress Oct 2019

States impacted:

  • California
  • Colorado
  • Illinois
  • Texas

Smart Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Station Deployment

The overall goal of the smart compressed natural gas (CNG) station deployment project is to develop an advanced vehicle and station solution for maximizing a CNG fill with or without pre-cooling of the natural gas. The project includes the development, demonstration, and field deployment of sensors, software, and communication systems on multiple smart vehicles and dispensers, programmed with an advanced control algorithm to maximize full fills. In addition, several of the demonstration locations include CNG pre-cooling to help overcome the heat of compression during a fill that causes CNG tanks to reach their pressure limit before they are full. The combination of these technologies helps solve the issue of elevated pressures from heat of compression that result in natural gas vehicles being under-filled and alleviates driver uncertainty about the vehicle's remaining range.

For more information on this project, check the Technology Integration 2020 Annual Report or Annual Merit Review presentation.

Learn more about the 2019 Commercial Trucks and Off-Road Applications.

$404,000 award from DOE

$757,000 matching funds (cost share)

Next-Generation Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Driver Information System 2019 Commercial Trucks and Off-Road Applications Gas Technology Institute In progress Oct 2019

States impacted:

  • Illinois

Next-Generation Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Driver Information System

The objective of this project is to develop and demonstrate a more accurate and effective driver information system for any natural gas vehicle (NGV) that includes a prediction of the remaining miles-to-empty, within 5% or 25 miles (whichever is greater) at any time during vehicle operation. The predictive model of miles-to-empty requires knowing the amount of fuel energy on the vehicle and the required fuel for the route, based on real-time traffic conditions, speed profile, and weather, among other parameters. This can allow for a reduction of on-board fuel capacity and frequency of fueling stops while increasing the driver's confidence in the remaining range of the vehicle.

For more information on this project, check the Technology Integration 2020 Annual Report or Annual Merit Review presentation.

Learn more about the 2019 Commercial Trucks and Off-Road Applications.

$600,000 award from DOE

$1,000,000 matching funds (cost share)

NGV U.P.T.I.M.E. Analysis: Updated Performance Tracking Integrating Maintenance Expenses 2019 Commercial Trucks and Off-Road Applications Clean Fuels Ohio In progress Oct 2019

States impacted:

  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas
  • Virginia
  • Wisconsin

NGV U.P.T.I.M.E. Analysis: Updated Performance Tracking Integrating Maintenance Expenses

The objectives of the NGV UPTIME Analysis project are to quantify the difference in maintenance costs between diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG) freight and goods movement vehicles; identify and quantify technology and process improvements between older and newer generation natural gas vehicles (NGVs); and assess individual NGV fleets to identify opportunities to enhance operations using current and past NGV and diesel fleet data. The analysis findings are showcased by end-use application, engine/fuel system manufacturer, and vehicle chassis manufacturer, among others, to determine specific research, development, and outreach needs by application.

For more information on this project, check the Technology Integration 2020 Annual Report or Annual Merit Review presentation.

Learn more about the 2019 Commercial Trucks and Off-Road Applications.

$450,000 award from DOE

$500,000 matching funds (cost share)

Partners

  • Clean Fuels Ohio
  • Wisconsin Clean Cities
South San Joaquin Valley Zero Emissions Vehicle Talent Pipeline 2022 Projects for the Electrification of America's Transportation Sector Kern Community College District In progress Oct 2023

States impacted:

  • California

South San Joaquin Valley Zero Emissions Vehicle Talent Pipeline

The objective of the South San Joaquin Valley Zero Emissions Vehicle Talent Pipeline project is to develop a workforce talent pipeline to support the installation, operations, and maintenance of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and emerging charging technologies including wireless inductive charging, and hydrogen fueling stations. The project will provide workers transitioning from oil-and-gas jobs and participants from traditionally under-represented and underserved/Justice 40 communities with training and pathways to union and well-paying jobs in clean transportation. In doing so, the project will aid the transition to a new clean energy transportation sector in the South San Joaquin Valley.

Learn more about the 2022 Projects for the Electrification of America's Transportation Sector.

$847,000 award from DOE

$173,000 matching funds (cost share)

Houston to Los Angeles (H2LA) - Interstate 10 (I-10) Hydrogen Corridor Plan 2022 Projects for the Electrification of America's Transportation Sector Gas Technology Institute In progress Oct 2023

States impacted:

  • Arizona
  • California
  • New Mexico
  • Texas

Houston to Los Angeles (H2LA) - Interstate 10 (I-10) Hydrogen Corridor Plan

The objective of the project is to build agent-based models and acquire relevant vehicle, fueling infrastructure, and operational data to establish a hydrogen fueling and heavy-duty freight truck network leveraging this fueling infrastructure in the Texas Triangle and I-10 corridor from Houston to Los Angeles, CA. The models will be refined for the regional specific analysis and results from earlier efforts by considering the scalability challenges associated with the deployment of a hydrogen freight transport eco-system. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts will be performed throughout to positively affect the local communities and provide critical inputs to the models. The project will combine the theoretical model results with practical experience in partnership with local community input to provide realistic, equitable, investable, and useable plans for the development of hydrogen infrastructure needed to support commercial heavy-duty (HD) truck freight mobility.

Learn more about the 2022 Projects for the Electrification of America's Transportation Sector.

$1,250,000 award from DOE

Partners

  • Western Riverside County Clean Cities Coalition
  • Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities
  • Alamo Area Council of Governments
  • North Central Texas Council of Government
Accelerating Alternative Fuel Adoption in Mid-America 2017 Community-Based Advanced Transportation Projects Metropolitan Energy Center, Inc. In progress Oct 2017

States impacted:

  • Kansas
  • Missouri

Accelerating Alternative Fuel Adoption in Mid-America

The Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC) aims to support the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles and establish new compressed natural gas, propane, and electric alternative fueling infrastructure on major travel corridors in Kansas and Missouri. The new alternative fueling infrastructure will fill crucial gaps along major shipping corridors and help overcome a significant barrier to alternative fuel vehicle adoption.

As of 2019, MEC and its project partners have developed one propane station and one 12-stall electric charging station, conducted four workshops, converted 5 gasoline trucks to CNG, and replaced eighteen diesel trucks and four diesel shuttles with natural gas vehicles. The workshops serve to connect stakeholder with resources, build community support for projects, and identify potential partners for future alternative fuel vehicle adoption. The project will also generate best practices documents, case studies, and deployment guides to leverage community-based business and community relationships to accelerate adoption and awareness of alternative fuels.

Learn more about the 2017 Community-Based Advanced Transportation Projects.

$3,804,000 award from DOE

$3,827,000 matching funds (cost share)

Partners

  • City of Kansas City, MO.
  • Stirk Compressed Natural Gas
  • City of El Dorado
  • 24/7 Travel Stores
  • Kansas City International Airport
  • Grain Valley School District
  • Sparq Natural Gas
  • Garden City
  • Blue Springs School District
Safety Training and Design, Permitting, and Operational Guidance for Garage Facilities Maintaining and Parking Natural Gas, Propane, and Hydrogen Vehicles Alternative Fuel Vehicle Workplace Safety Programs Marathon Technical Services USA Inc. Complete Oct 2016

States impacted:

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Delaware
  • Missouri
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Virginia
  • Wisconsin

Safety Training and Design, Permitting, and Operational Guidance for Garage Facilities Maintaining and Parking Natural Gas, Propane, and Hydrogen Vehicles

Marathon Technical Services USA Inc. (Marathon) and its partners aim to enhance the safety of gaseous fuel vehicle garages by developing easily understood facility design resources. The resources are aimed at facility owners, consulting engineers, fire marshals and code officials. The development of visual manuals, online and in-person instruction, and case studies will provide a more interactive approach to interpreting codes for garage facility upgrades and building modifications. The guidance is focused on the facilities that store and maintain compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquified petroleum gas (propane or LPG), and compressed hydrogen.

Marathon and Clean Fuels Ohio developed a training manual and presentation materials for each of the four fuels that explains concepts and applications in an easy to understand format. The manuals and presentation materials were used at numerous in-person trainings and facility tours that Marathon hosted across the country in 2018 and 2019. These materials along with narrated, modular training webinars are now hosted on the project website so that users can continue to use and benefit from these resources.

Learn more about the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Workplace Safety Programs.

$750,000 award from DOE

$191,000 matching funds (cost share)

Partners

  • Clean Fuels Ohio
  • Virginia Clean Cities
  • Kansas City Regional Clean Cities
  • Clean Communities of Western New York (Buffalo)
  • Western Washington Clean Cities
  • Long Beach Clean Cities
  • Sacramento Clean Cities Coalition
Electric Last Mile Project 2017 Community-Based Advanced Transportation Projects Pecan Street Inc Complete Oct 2017

States impacted:

  • Texas

Electric Last Mile Project

Pecan Street Inc. is evaluating the use of a private fleet of low-speed, six-person, electric shuttles for first- and last-mile transit connections in three Austin, Texas neighborhoods. The project aims to demonstrate the value of public-private partnerships in rapidly and cost-effectively increasing the usage of public transportation.

As of 2019, the Electric Last Mile Project has successfully tested the use of electric shuttles for eight months, providing a total of 29,206 rides. During the test period Pecan Street Inc. used surveys, individual interviews, community charrettes, and hardware installed on the vehicles to collect data on consumer engagement, vehicle performance, traffic impacts, and pricing structures. This data has resulted in a categorization chart that can be used by communities interested in using autonomous shuttles and public-private partnerships for first and last-mile transit solutions. The project also created a telematics kit that monitors vehicle operations and occupancy, a mobile trip request app and website, and laid the groundwork for future implementation of an autonomous shuttle.

Learn more about the 2017 Community-Based Advanced Transportation Projects.

$1,000,000 award from DOE

$1,000,000 matching funds (cost share)

Partners

  • Capitol Metro
  • Electric Cab of North America
Training for Cost-Effective Code-Compliant Maintenance Facilities Alternative Fuel Vehicle Workplace Safety Programs Gas Technology Institute Complete Oct 2016

States impacted:

  • Illinois

Training for Cost-Effective Code-Compliant Maintenance Facilities

The Gas Technology Institute (GTI) is developing guidance on cost-effective and practical solutions to the permitting of fleet maintenance and repair facilities. The guidance will aid facility owners, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ’s), designers, fire officials, and other stakeholders in interpreting and understanding regulatory requirements of needed modifications to maintenance facilities. GTI is working with industry experts to address necessary maintenance facility and garage upgrades for three major alternative fuels currently being used in heavy duty vehicles: compressed natural gas, hydrogen, and propane. The guidance will address gas detection, ventilation, electrical classification compliance, heating devices, alarm system configuration, and behavior of lighter-than-air fuels.

As of 2019, GTI has developed multiple reports, safety technology summaries, code reports, best practice documents, presentation materials, and videos for each of the three gaseous fuels. These materials are available to the public through the project’s website that features an interactive diagram of a maintenance garage. Using these materials, GTI has conducted online outreach and hosted workshops across the country including at multiple large conferences in Chicago, Illinois; Emeryville, California; Los Angeles, California and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

Learn more about the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Workplace Safety Programs.

$750,000 award from DOE

$85,000 matching funds (cost share)

Partners

  • Clean Energy Fuels
  • Frontier Energy
  • Superior Energy Systems
  • Marathon Technical Services
  • Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation