Examining Federal Vehicle Technology Research and Development Programs

Opening Statement By Chairman Brian Baird

I want to welcome members of the Subcommittee and our distinguished panelists to today’s hearing examining the vehicle technology research and development programs at the Department of Energy (DOE).

With concerns about our over-reliance on foreign oil, the fluctuating costs of fuels, and the impact of the transportation sector on air quality and carbon emissions, it is imperative that we continually push the envelope in passenger and commercial vehicle technologies.

DOE has supported a diverse portfolio of research in vehicle technologies for many years. The goal of these programs is to develop technologies that will maintain the freedom of mobility that vehicles provide, while improving our energy security and reducing their impacts on the environment. The program sponsors collaborative research on passenger vehicles through the FreedomCar Partnership, and on heavy-duty trucks through the 21st Century Truck Partnership.

While these partnerships have had a number of successes, it is important to recognize when a shift in priorities needs to take place. As stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars it is our responsibility to continually assess these programs and ensure that research activities are both relevant to the industry’s needs for commercially-viable technologies, and appropriate to the government’s role in exploratory research in areas that industry partners would not be able to pursue on their own. This hearing today should shed some light on these often confusing, and sometimes conflicting, priorities.

Many stakeholders argue that the Vehicle Technologies program at DOE has been a victim of drastic swings in priority between Administrations. The Clinton Administration sought to develop highly efficient diesel hybrid passenger cars, along with technologies for cleaner and more efficient trucks. The Bush Administration chose to focus instead on longer-term research in hydrogen passenger vehicles and infrastructure, and to reduce the funding for heavy duty truck research.

Now, as the new administration develops its own policies, I hope that we will avoid again putting all of our eggs in one technology basket. While we must be targeted in our federal R&D programs, this single-minded approach ignores the importance of balancing a diverse portfolio with sustained funding for longer-term research.

Last year the National Academies of Science reviewed both the Freedom Car and 21st Century Truck programs, and made a number of recommendations for programmatic changes, some of which we will hear today. Given the recommendations of these two reports, and the constantly changing landscape in the vehicles sector, the Committee is interested in hearing the witnesses’ views on what the near-term priorities and future directions should be for the Vehicle Technologies Program at DOE.

With that, I look forward to working with you all in exploring ways in which federal programs can be improved to support a robust vehicle manufacturing industry and to better serve public needs in advanced passenger vehicle and heavy-duty truck technology development.

I now yield to my distinguished colleague from South Carolina, our Ranking Member, Mr. Inglis for his opening statement.
 

Witnesses

Panel

0 - Mr. Thomas C. Baloga
Vice President of Engineering BMW of North America BMW of North America
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0 - Mr. Steven Chalk
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy U.S. Department of
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0 - Dr. Kathryn Clay
Director of Research Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers
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0 - Mr. Anthony Greszler
Vice President of Government and Industry Relations Volvo Powertrain North America Member Volvo Powertrain North America Member
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0 - Dr. John H. Johnson
Presidential Professor Michigan Technological University Chair Michigan Technological University Chair
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