The Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $60 million to 24 research and development projects aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions of passenger cars and trucks.
The projects will study work on improving electric vehicle batteries and systems, preparing for new mobility technologies, developing lightweight chassis materials, lessening exhaust emissions and understanding the environmental impact of EV innovations, DOE said Wednesday.
Research by General Motors, the University of Pittsburgh and other fund recipients will tackle two of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector.
"DOE’s investment in these 24 projects will create technologies and techniques that will cut vehicle greenhouse emissions and boost America’s competitiveness in the global clean energy market," said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.
The projects, funded through DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Vehicles Technology Office, are in line with the U.S.' goal of maintaining a lead in the battery technology R&D sector.