technology for cylinder liners. NASA’s indicated PNGV-related budget ($5 million in FY 1995
increasing to $7 million in FY 1996) probably understates the amount of R&D that would be of
interest to the auto industry.
In the future, NASA plans to launch a significant thrust directed at improved electric
drivetrains. The overall concept will include management of the primary power source, energy
storage, and power management systems, as well as the development of a high-speed 80-120 kW
dynamometer for system development. This is expected to reduce significantly powertrain losses
during acceleration and braking transients. The basis for this activity is the NASA technology for
space power systems, high-capacity actuators for launch vehicle thrust control, and power-by-
wire systems for advanced aircraft. NASA will also lead an industry/government team to conduct
tradeoff studies to evaluate candidate concepts and technology that could meet the PNGV 80
mpg goal.National Science Foundation (NSF)
NSF conducts research on the enabling technologies that may provide the basis for major
breakthroughs and advances. NSF identified around $54 million in FY 1995 projects that are
related to advanced vehicles, with a requested increase to nearly $57 million in FY 1996.
Invariably, however, this research is basic or generic research in areas such as materials synthesis
and behavior, engineering, manufacturing, sensors, and computer organization and operation.
Although this basic research could be critical in solving such challenges as lubrication of high-
temperature ceramic engines, virtually none is targeted on advanced vehicles per se.
Collaborative Private-Sector R&D ActivitiesUnited States Council for Automotive Research (USCAR)
Collaborative research among the Big Three has been under way since 1988. USCAR was
formed in 1992 to help coordinate administrative and information services for existing and future
research consortia aimed at addressing common technological and environmental concerns.
USCAR is an umbrella research organization of the Big Three that currently covers 14 research
consortia. It is also the administrative coordinator for the industry’s participation in PNGV The
USCAR consortia support a broad range of research, much which is funded privately. A portion
of the research is jointly funded by the federal government, however, and eight CRADAs are in
force between USCAR and various national-laboratories. Highlights of the activities of several of
the key consortia are described below.The mission of the U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) is to develop EV batteries
that will significantly improve range and performance. Although several battery types are available
today (e.g., lead acid and nickel-cadmium), USABC does not believe that they offer sufficient
long-range performance potential. As of early 1995, USABC had awarded six major research
contracts to develop mid-term (nickel-metal hydride and sodium sulfur) and long-term (lithium
iron disulfide and lithium polymer) batteries. USABC is currently funded under a 12-year, $260