FtieZ Cell Program. There has been widespread consensus that proton exchange membrane
(PEM) fhel cells are the most suitable type for light-duty vehicles, though the best method of
supplying the hydrogen needed by the fbel cell is less clear. Currently, the two principal fbeling
options being explored are: on-board reforming of hydrogen-containing liquids, especially
methanol; and on-board storage of hydrogen that is generated extemally.12
In 1991, DOE contracted with GM’s Allison Gas Turbine Division to develop a proof-of-
feasibility methanol-fbeled PEM fiel cell for light-duty vehicles. The first phase ended in FY 1993
with the testing of a 10 kW fiel cell system. In 1994, DOE signed contracts with teams headed by
Ford and Chrysler/Pentastar Electronics to develop fbel cell systems using on-board hydrogen
storage.
In parallel, DOE has been supporting a team headed by H-Power to develop a municipal bus
powered by 50 kW phosphoric acid fbel cells. DOE is also conducting feasibility studies on fhel
cell-powered locomotives.
In FY 1995, DOE was finding fhel cell contracts for light-duty vehicles at $16.1 million, for
buses at $2 million, and for locomotives at $1.5 million. Additional exploratory fbel cell research
on advanced electrodes and membranes was finded at $3.5 million, conducted at national
laboratories such as Los Alamos, Brookhaven, and Lawrence Berkeley. Requested fimds for FY
1996 increase to $28 million for light-duty vehicles, and supporting research at national
laboratories increases to over $9 millio~ with level finding for bus and locomotive research.
Cost-sharing of contracts by industry is expected to be around 20 percent.
HybrzdPropuZsion Systems. DOE has supported hybrid vehicle research for well over a decade.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, General Electric (GE) developed a prototype hybrid vehicle
that achieved up to 50 percent improvement in fbel economy compared with a similar
conventional vehicle. The vehicle, however, was complicated, heavy, and expensive, and the effort
was discontinued in 1984. In addition, in 1984, DOE began a cost-shared contract with Ford and
GE to develop modular electric powertrains. Ford fabricated nearly a dozen 56 liW (75 hp)
electric drivetrains that were tested in 1994 and inserted in Ford Ecostar vans.
DOE’s current program for hybrid vehicles began in FY 1992 and is structured as a five-year,
50 percent cost-shared cooperative program with industry to achieve two-fold fiel economy
improvement with low emissions and petiormance comparable to conventional vehicles. Contracts
have been signed with teams, headed by Ford and GM, who are working primarily on series
hybrid configurations. DOE finding of $35:4 million was provided for these contracts in FY
- In addition, DOE supported $1.5 million in “enabling” technology for hybrids, and $1.3
million for the Hybrid Challenge, a student competition in wtich university teams build hybrid
vehicles that are then tested against one another.
In FY 1996, a finding increase to $52 million is requested for cost-shared hybrid vehicle
contracts, which includes contracting with a third development team (from Chrysler) “enabling”
R&D increases to $3 million.
12= Ofi&tjon of me] fiel, without reformin~ ia a long-term option being explored in exploratory research programa.