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Partnership Geared Toward New Technologies to Reduce Fuel Consumption

Release Date: 04/18/2006
Contact Information: Roxanne Smith, (202) 564-4355 / smith.roxanne@epa.gov

(Washington, D.C. - April 18, 2006) Cleaner engines mean cleaner air thanks to a partnership to develop advanced automotive components for cleaner, more fuel efficient engines and vehicles. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and BorgWarner will examine the commercial viability of newly advanced turbochargers, air management, and electronic sensors for use with clean diesel and high efficiency gasoline engines. Commercialization of these technologies will result in lower emissions and reduced fuel consumption, which in turn saves Americans money at the pump, improves environmental protection and lessens dependence on foreign oil.

"By advancing the technologies that are good for the environment, good for our economy, and good for our energy security, together with BorgWarner, EPA is meeting the president's call to get our nation off the treadmill of foreign oil dependency," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "For the past century, diesel engines have been America's economic workhorse – reliable, fuel efficient, and long lasting. Through innovations in technology, this economic workhorse is expanding into an environmental workhorse."

Diesel powered passenger vehicles have significantly better fuel economy than their gasoline powered counterparts. Through the partnership, BorgWarner will build and evaluate unique turbochargers that will help maintain fuel economy in clean diesel combustion systems. The company also will develop air management and combustion sensor technologies. Partnering with BorgWarner allows this "made in the USA" technology to also support manufacturing jobs in the United States through their turbocharger manufacturing and engineering facilities in Asheville, N.C.

The EPA – BorgWarner partnership was established through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, which is a tool Congress established to facilitate technology transfer from National Laboratories to industry and the marketplace.

More information about the partnership and clean fuel efficient technology: epa.gov/otaq/technology