WASHINGTON – Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced $8.4 million over three to four years for suppliers and vehicle manufacturers to develop and demonstrate technologies that increase the efficiency of engines and powertrain systems for future vehicles.  

Four projects -- located in Michigan, Massachusetts and Wisconsin -- will focus on new innovations that achieve breakthrough thermal efficiencies while meeting federal emission standards for passenger vehicles as well as commercial vehicles, including long-haul tractor trailers.  

“The Department of Energy is investing in new technologies that will significantly improve vehicle fuel economy, save consumers money, and create skilled jobs for Americans,” said Chu. 

The projects just announced will focus on developing and testing new technologies for engines and powertrains that could reduce cost and address technical barriers currently inhibiting the wider use of advanced engine technologies in the mass market. Projects will also validate technologies developed at the engine or system level to help ensure that these innovations can advance into broad commercial use at a scale needed to reduce vehicle fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions nationally, the DOE said.

The four projects selected for award are: 

• Filter Sensing Technologies Inc. – Cambridge, MA – $2.0 million.
Filter Sensing Technologies will develop and demonstrate sensors and controls that can reduce the overall cost and complexity of engine and emission control systems, while delivering tangible performance benefits. The initial focus will be on U.S. heavy-duty vehicles. 

• General Motors LLC – Pontiac, MI – $1.4 million.
General Motors will develop and demonstrate technology that enables the use of high dilution in the combustion chamber significantly improving the fuel economy of vehicles compared to conventional engines.
• Eaton Corp. – Milwaukee, WI – $2.5 million.
Eaton will develop and demonstrate advanced component technology for heavy-duty diesel engine waste heat recovery systems that are capable of improving the fuel economy of heavy-duty vehicles.
• MAHLE Powertrain LLC – Novi, MI – $2.5 million.
MAHLE will develop a next-generation combined ignition/turbo-charging concept that will enable the implementation of ultra lean-burn technology to engines, improving efficiency and significantly reducing the formation of pollutants such as oxides of nitrogen (NOx).