Jan 7, 2008 (From the CalCars-News archive)
Encouraging news of a fund for demonstration projects came just before the holidays from the Energy Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), headed by Assistant Secretary Andy Karsner, who has been a strong advocate for PHEVs. Its Office of Vehicle Technologies (OVT) Program http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/ with the National Energy Technology Laboratory http://www.netl.doe.gov/ has put out a request for proposals for "Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Technology Acceleration and Deployment Activity."
The program hopes to make 1-4 awards, each at a minimum level of $10 million. The "deliverable" is 80 vehicles over three years, to be tested and demonstrated at three US DOE sites and three sites the applicant can propose. V2G capability is encouraged, and while the focus is on light-duty vehicles (cars, SUVs, small trucks) powering at least 10 miles electrically (all-electric or within a larger blended range), larger vehicles are eligible as well.
Any type of entity can apply by April 30. Before those involved in many small PHEV efforts currently in development get too excited, a 50% cost share and at least a partnership with a large auto company are necessary. (The language is sufficiently fuzzy that what the industry calls a "First Tier Supplier" or niche manufacturer might be eligible -- especially if none of the large carmakers apply.) The funds involved by themselves may not be sufficient to motivate multi-billion-dollar companies -- but we hope carmakers will consider them in light of the prospect of other federal, state and private incentives. Here's the key limiting paragraph:
It is highly encouraged that the proposing applicant be a high volume (greater than 10,000 vehicles produced annually) vehicle manufacturer currently producing vehicles in the United States with other team members being subcontractors to the applicant. Applications from other entities will only be considered if a high volume (greater than 10,000 vehicles produced annually) vehicle manufacturer is a team member. In addition, a novel application will be considered if the applicant demonstrates the capability for high volume production and the requisite technical expertise. Teaming with suppliers, national laboratories, utilities, state and municipal governments, small businesses, universities, fleet operators, etc. is highly encouraged if it enables the applicant to achieve the goals and objectives of this announcement, which in turn will produce a quality production ready vehicle.
Below are the URLs for the solicitation and the full program description, followed by excerpts from the latter document
Solicitation Description:
The Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), on behalf of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's (EERE) Office of Vehicle Technologies (OVT) Program, is seeking applications for cost-shared development and demonstration of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The vehicle shall be capable of charging by using the standard 110 volt outlet found in every home and building across the United States.
U. S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (Phev) Technology Acceleration And Deployment Activity Funding Opportunity Number: DE-PS26-08NT00360-02
Issue Date: 12/19/07 Application Due Date: 4/30/2008 at 8:00:00 PM Eastern Time
PART I - FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
A. OBJECTIVES
The Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), on behalf of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's (EERE) Office of Vehicle Technologies (OVT) Program, is seeking applications for cost-shared development and demonstration of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The vehicle shall be capable of charging by using the standard 110 volt outlet found in every home and building across the United States. The intent of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to further research, develop and demonstrate light duty vehicles such as automobiles, light duty trucks, SUV's, light trucks and vans, light heavy duty trucks, passenger vans, or any vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 lbs or less, that can achieve a cumulative electric range (before transitioning to charge sustaining mode) of at least 10 miles on the Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS). However, if a medium or heavy-duty vehicle ( i.e buses, trucks, tractors or other commercial vehicles with a GVWR greater than 10,000 lbs ) is proposed that can meet or exceed the cumulative electric range of at least 10 miles on the UDDS, it will be evaluated using the same criteria and against the same regulations, standards and evaluation criteria as outlined in this announcement, which are developed around performance expectations for light duty vehicles. The OVT program seeks to accelerate the development of PHEVs that (1) substantially reduce petroleum consumption, (2) are fully compliant with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), (3) meet all relevant emission regulations, and (4) can be economically mass produced. OVT proposes to demonstrate the operational and economic viability of the PHEVs developed through this FOA by placing them in small geographically diverse fleets in order to collect operational data. The information will be used to: inform and prioritize DOE PHEV R&D activities, educate consumers on the benefits of PHEVs, assess the electric utility impacts and national benefits of substantially shifting the fuel source for transportation to electricity. The ultimate goal is production-intent vehicles that can be produced in volume and meaningfully contribute to the nation's petroleum displacement objectives outlined in the Administration's '20 in 10' initiative.
B. PROGRAM HISTORY/BACKGROUND
PHEVs are not currently mass-produced by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). However, hybrid electric vehicles converted into PHEVs by non-OEM companies have demonstrated well over 100 MPG on gasoline in both laboratory and on-road testing environments. PHEVs rely on additional on-board energy storage such as advanced technology batteries, which are recharged from an off-board electric utility infrastructure rather than from the vehicle engine resulting in the high fuel economy. Since much of the daily travel in the United States is urban, the Administration has challenged DOE to develop PHEV technology capable of a 40 mile electric range, (i.e., satisfying 70 percent of the average daily travel in the United States), with the ultimate objective of substantial petroleum displacement as well as improved air quality. Therefore, it is believed that fully integrated (OEM level) vehicle control is required to realize the potential of PHEVs.
The OVT Program's approach to implementing R&D/Demonstration activities emphasizes jointly funded partnerships with industry to develop and validate technologies. This approach ensures that government resources will be leveraged by industry and will accelerate the transition of successful technologies to high volume production vehicles.
C. PROGRAM AREA OF INTEREST
The OVT Program supports the development of PHEVs that can be economically mass-produced, compete effectively in the marketplace with conventional/current production hybrid vehicles and dramatically reduce petroleum consumption.
It is highly encouraged that the proposing applicant be a high volume (greater than 10,000 vehicles produced annually) vehicle manufacturer currently producing vehicles in the United States with other team members being subcontractors to the applicant. Applications from other entities will only be considered if a high volume (greater than 10,000 vehicles produced annually) vehicle manufacturer is a team member. In addition, a novel application will be considered if the applicant demonstrates the capability for high volume production and the requisite technical expertise. Teaming with suppliers, national laboratories, utilities, state and municipal governments, small businesses, universities, fleet operators, etc. is highly encouraged if it enables the applicant to achieve the goals and objectives of this announcement, which in turn will produce a quality production ready vehicle.
The effort shall include the analysis, design, fabrication, and integration of plug-in hybrid electric propulsion systems (including battery, battery charger, power electronics, and electric drive) in vehicle platforms using standard practice for production-intent vehicles.
Realizing the immediate challenge of the Administration's 40-mile electric range target, the OVT Program is seeking PHEVs with a cumulative electric range (before transitioning to charge sustaining mode) of at least 10 miles on the Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS); power sharing/blending is allowed. Electric range greater than 10 miles is strongly encouraged.
The vehicles shall be comparable to current production vehicles (e.g., safety, performance, comfort, cost) to compete in the marketplace as well as compliant with all applicable FMVSS and emissions requirements.
The vehicles shall be developed using the latest state of the art technology with the goal of achieving a 40-mile electric range in a production-ready vehicle. The deployment of PHEVs in geographically diverse locations throughout the US will allow DOE and Industry partners to realistically and clearly identify PHEV performance, operation, and fuel economy in a real time user environment. Operation and testing of PHEV data shall include but is not limited to, actual time and distance achieved driving in the all-electric range, actual fuel economy, overall powertrain durability and other data generated as a result of real-world operation. Data collected shall be used to provide feedback to the manufacturer and DOE with the goal of improving vehicle powertrain design, energy management control strategy, and any other vehicle design considerations that would enable a production ready vehicle with a 40 mile electric range.
Each successful applicant should develop and demonstrate a minimum of 80 or more PHEVs over a 3-year period; the minimum commitment is 10 vehicles within the first 12 months, 20 additional vehicles within the second 12 months and 50 additional vehicles within the third 12 months (referenced to the date of award initiation). Failure to meet the minimum commitment of vehicles may result in a lower rating of the application. Successful applicant(s) shall provide vehicles with successive technological improvements, such as increased range, advanced batteries, control strategies, or other improvements to overall vehicle efficiency etc. (coordinated with DOE) for each annual vehicle delivery. Each vehicle shall have appropriate:
" Documentation describing maintenance, service or operating instructions/limitations " In addition, the vehicles shall require no extraordinary technical support from the manufacturer or operator and special training is not encouraged.
Each successful awardee shall develop and demonstrate a minimum of 80 or more PHEVs over a 3-year period; the minimum commitment is 10 vehicles within the first 12 months, 20 additional vehicles within the second 12 months and 50 additional vehicles within the third 12 months (referenced to the date of award initiation). The applicant shall be responsible for vehicle support, which includes but is not limited to vehicle maintenance, vehicle repair, and vehicle component replacement including the battery pack or any other vehicle support activities for a period of three (3) years from the time of delivery of the vehicles for testing.
The vehicles will undergo a variety of testing over a three (3) year period following their delivery, including baseline performance, laboratory dynamometer, accelerated reliability, and fleet testing at DOE facilities or Non-Federal facilities approved by DOE.
" At a minimum, the recommended locations will be DOE HQ (Washington, DC), National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) (Morgantown,WV and Pittsburgh, PA) and other Federal or Non-Federal facilities approved by DOE. " In addition to the specified locations above, applicants should propose up to three (3) additional locations for fleet/vehicle testing that are geographically diverse. Prospective applicants may want to consider state and local government agencies, organizations, or coalitions such as designated Clean Cities Coalition(s) as one of the three locations. Please refer to (http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/progs/coalition_locations.php) for an active listing of coalitions by State. It is at the discretion of the DOE to approve the proposed locations. Each applicant should consider geographical diversity to provide differences in driving terrain, route (city/highway) and climatic operating conditions that are considered by the applicant to be important in defining the vehicle design parameters (i.e. efficiency, performance, and durability of the vehicle).
" A subset of the vehicles may be tested in vehicle-to-home (V2H) or vehicle-to-grid (V2G) applications if the manufacturer has made provisions for that use in the design. " In addition, successful applicants shall anticipate the possibility of vehicle operation by the general public, i.e., drivers with no specific training in PHEV operation. " Access shall be provided to pertinent vehicle propulsion system data if not readily available through the vehicles' OBD II connection for the purpose of data logging during testing and evaluation. " Traction batteries used in these vehicles should be capable of completing the full 3-year test and evaluation period following their delivery.
In addition to the vehicle requirements, other factors will be considered: " Use of advanced batteries (i.e. lithium ion etc..) and/or alternative fuels or advanced technology diesels. " Comparative cost analysis (assuming annual production volume of 100,000 or more). " Cost share greater than the required minimum of 50%. The successful applicant shall prepare annual reports covering vehicle analysis and planning, status of the propulsion technology and vehicles, proposed technological improvements for the next year and projections of cost competitiveness in volume production.
PART II - AWARD INFORMATION
B. ESTIMATED FUNDING
" Approximately $10,000,000 is expected to be available for new awards in FY 2008 and an additional $20,000,000 is anticipated to be available for the existing awards under this announcement in the out years, subject to the availability of funds.
D. EXPECTED NUMBER OF AWARDS
" DOE anticipates making 1-4 awards under this announcement depending on the size of the awards.
E. ANTICIPATED AWARD SIZE
" DOE anticipates that awards will be in the $10,000,000 to $30,000,000 range for the total project period, depending on the number of awards.
F. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE
" DOE anticipates making awards that will run for up to six (6) years.
PART III - ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS All types of entities are eligible to apply, except other Federal agencies, Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) Contractors, and nonprofit organizations described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995.
B. COST SHARING
" The cost share must be at least 50% of the total allowable costs for demonstration and commercial application projects (i.e., the sum of the Government share, including FFRDC contractor costs if applicable, and the recipient share of allowable costs equals the total allowable cost of the project) and must come from non-Federal sources unless otherwise allowed by law.
