During a visit to the Cummins headquarters in Columbus, Indiana this week, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced the Department of Energy will allocate $187 million in funding to nine projects whose aim is to increase fuel efficiency in "super trucks" and passenger vehicles.

Grant recipients are expected to eventually match government funding, creating a total investment of $375 million.

The transportation sector currently accounts for 28% of total energy use in the United States. As these vehicle technologies are adopted nationwide, more than 100 million gallons of gas and diesel per day can be saved — not to mention the carbon emission reduction new technology will make possible. The DOE estimates it is possible to reduce emissions by 20 percent by 2030 by funding projects to increase fuel efficiency and technology in our nation's heavy-duty trucks and passenger vehicles.

The nine projects selected for awards fall under two topic categories: Systems Level Technology Development, Integration, and Demonstration for Efficient Class 8 Trucks (SuperTrucks) will receive more than $115 million; Advanced Technology Powertrains for Light-Duty Vehicles (ATP-LD) will receive more than $71 million in grant funding.

The first category will award grant money to Cummins Inc., Daimler Trucks North America, and Navistar, Inc.; the second category is comprised of projects by Cummins, Chrysler Group LLC, Delphi Automotive Systems LLC, Ford, General Motors, and Robert Bosch.

Cummins will be the recipient of the bulk of the grant money — $54 million in funding for use in two projects — and will partner with Peterbilt Motors Company, a division of PACCAR, for its SuperTruck project.

"Cummins has long enjoyed a collaborative partnership with the DOE. These R&D programs have helped us develop the best products for our customers and the environment," said Cummins President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Linebarger. "We appreciate the funding provided by the DOE for the Cummins SuperTruck and Light-Duty programs, which will create jobs, help address climate change and reduce oil consumption. This public-private partnership is a win for our economy, a win for the environment and a win for energy challenges. We are looking forward to working closely with Peterbilt on this important technology project," Linebarger said.

"The DOE has provided strong leadership in establishing an advanced combustion engine research and development partnership between industry and government," said Cummins Vice President and Chief Technical Officer Dr. John Wall. "Cummins looks forward to continuing our partnership with DOE to develop advanced diesel, hybrid, and natural gas engine technologies that will deliver more efficient and cleaner combustion engines to our customers."

Grants from the DOE will also be awarded to Navistar, another Indiana outfit currently developing technologies to reduce fuel use in heavy-duty trucks and trailer by as much as 50%. Portland's Daimler Trucks North America will receive grant money to use in efforts to reduce engine size.

Improving engine technology is high on the list of priorities for these projects, especially in building systems that reduce idling time for super trucks. The DOE is doling out grant money to two Michigan-based technology companies, such as Robert Bosch of Farmington Hills, whose goal is to achieve up to 30% fuel economy improvement, and Delphi Automotive Systems of Delphi, whose technicians are focused on reducing idling time for super trucks.

Grants awarded to Ford, GM, and Chrysler will be used to develop increased efficiency in powertrains and engines for passenger vehicles.

And according to Chu, this grant money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will create "over 500 jobs — primarily researchers, engineers, and managers" via the projects in increasing fuel efficiency in this sector of transportation. According to the Department of Energy's website, "By 2015, the projects expect to create over 6,000 jobs — many in manufacturing and assembly."

"By investing Recovery dollars in next generation fuel efficient trucks here at home, we're not only creating new job opportunities now, but helping lay a new foundation to keep American auto manufacturers competitive in the 21st century global marketplace," Vice President Biden commented regarding the DOE's announcement this week. "Through strategic public-private investments like these, the Recovery Act is helping lay the groundwork for an expansion of our clean energy economy."
 
Secretary Chu believes improving vehicle efficiency is critical to reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil and a key factor in addressing climate change. "Today's awards will help demonstrate the potential benefits for long-haul trucks and passenger vehicles and will play an important role in building a more sustainable transportation system for the country," Chu said.

So long as the majority of American cargo transport relies on Big Rigs and super trucks, investing in fuel efficiency and improved technology must be taken seriously.

Brigid