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Clean Automotive Technology

Partners & Milestones

EPA's Clean Automotive Technology program has partnered with many companies to demonstrate the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of clean automotive technology. EPA is able to pursue these exciting projects through the use of Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs). To learn more about CRADAs and the legislation that authorizes them please visit our CRADAs page.

List of Partners

Many partners have been essential to developing and demonstrating EPA's advanced hybrid and engine technology. Below is a list of the partners who have been the most essential to the development of new HHV and engine technologies:

  • APM Terminals - testing HHV technology
  • BorgWarner - developing & testing Clean Diesel Combustion technology
  • Chamption Bus Inc - shuttle bus body support
  • Chrysler - developing & testing HHV technology
  • Delphi - engine components support
  • Eaton - developing & testing HHV technology
  • FedEx - testing HHV technology
  • Ford - developing & testing HHV and Clean Diesel Combustion technology
  • IC Bus - shuttle bus chassis support
  • Kalmar Industries - developing & testing HHV technology
  • Navistar - developing & testing HHV and Clean Diesel Combustion technology
  • Morgon Olson - truck bodies support
  • Parker - developing & testing HHV technology
  • Sheppard - power steering and power braking systems for HHVs
  • UPS - developing & testing HHV technology
  • Webasto - engine off heating systems for HHVs

Government agency partners:

  • Army - developing & testing Hydraulic Hybrid technology
  • California South Coast Air Quality District (SCAQMD) - testing HHV and gasoline HCCI technology
  • Port Authority of New York and New Jersey - testing HHV technology
  • New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - testing HHV technology

Additional support by:

  • FEV - developing & testing Hydraulic Hybrid, Clean Diesel Combustion and HHCI technology
  • Southwest Research Institute - developing & testing HHV technology

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List of University Partnerships

EPA has several cooperative agreements with universities that are working on hydraulic hybrid and advanced engine technologies, as well as doing research in alternative fuels. These partnerships provide training and foster interest in emerging technologies for the next generation of engineers:

  • Kettering University
  • Michigan State University
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Toledo

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Milestones

Date

Milestones

January 2011 Yard Hostler with Hydraulic Hybrid technology
Click to learn more.
EPA and Chrysler Partner to Develop series HHV Technology for Light-Duty Vehicles
The EPA working with Chrysler will develop a series HHV minivan. The EPA anticipates an increase in fuel economy by up to 60% in city driving with an overall improvement of 30 to 35%. This vehicle is expected to reduce idling and emissions.
The focus of this partnership is to:
  • Assess benefits of applying HHV technology to light-duty vehicles.
  • Strive to meet consumer expectations for safety and driving experience.
  • Manage packaging of the technology within the tight confines of a minivan platform.
  • Demonstrate improvements in fuel economy and reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from HHV technology in light-duty applications.
January 2011 The prototype hydraulic hybrid yard hostler has begun field testing at APM terminals at Port Elizabeth, N.J. This demonstration vehicle will be evaluated for use in ports as well as rail yards and other distribution centers.
October 2009 EPA displayed a prototype hydraulic hybrid yard hostler at the World Maritime Day in New York City. The event was cosponsored by US Coast Guard, and US EPA, as well as Department of State, Maritime Administration (MARAD) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
April 2009 Yard Hostler with Hydraulic Hybrid technology
Click to learn more.

EPA displays Hydraulic Hybrid Yard Hostler to Public
EPA displayed the revolutionary yard hostler to the public. The yard hostler is expected to improve fuel economy from 50 to over 60 percent.

Press Release:
EPA, industry partners offer sneak preview of unique Michigan-developed green technology for moving cargo containers EPA Patented Technology Saves Fuel and Reduces Emissions (March 16, 2009)

For more information on the vehicle visit: Demonstration Vehicles.

October 2008 UPS announces they will purchase Hydraulic Hybrid Vehicles
UPS announced that it would purchase seven Delivery Vehicles equipped with EPA's patented hydraulic hybrid technology.
September 2007

Announcement to Develop Hydraulic Hybrid Yard Hostler
EPA announced that it would begin developing a hydraulic hybrid yard hostler. The hybrid vehicles will feature a unique hydraulic hybrid power train that can generate, recover, store and reuse braking power with very little air pollution. Key partners in the project include the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, A.P.M. Terminals, Kalmar Industries, Parker Hannifin Corporation and the Port of Rotterdam.

Press Release: EPA Announces Partnerships to Develop Hydraulic Hybrid Yard Hostler (September 5, 2007)

June 2006 UPS delivery vehicle with Hydraulic Hybrid technology
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Announcement in Washington D.C.
EPA unveiled the world's first hydraulic hybrid delivery truck in Washington, D.C. The EPA hybrid features a hydraulic drivetrain that replaces a conventional drivetrain and eliminates the need for a conventional transmission. By achieving 70 percent better fuel efficiency in urban driving and 40 percent lower CO2 greenhouse gas emissions; this vehicle demonstrates the highest-efficiency powertrain in existence.

After the announcement event this vehicle toured the country to demonstrate hydraulic hybrid technology through ride & drives as well as informational media. In the fall of 2006 and throughout 2007 the vehicle was tested on road in Michigan by UPS.


For more information on the vehicle visit Demonstration Vehicles.

Fact Sheet: World's First Full Hydraulic Hybrid in a Delivery Truck (PDF) (1 pg, 238K, EPA420-F-06-054, June 2006)

Press Release:Brown Goes Green: EPA and Partners to Unveil UPS Truck With 60 to 70 Percent Higher Fuel Economy (June 21, 2006)

April 2006

Partnership with BorgWarner
EPA and BorgWarner, Inc. announced a partnership to advance clean fuel efficient automotive components. The partnership will evaluate and determine the commercial viability of newly advanced turbochargers, engine air management, and sensors for use with diesel and high efficiency gasoline engines.

Fact Sheet: EPA and BorgWarner to Develop Fuel Efficient Technology (PDF) (2 pp, 205K, EPA420-F-06-032, April 2006)

Press Release: Partnership Geared Toward New Technologies to Reduce Fuel Consumption (April 18, 2006)

March 2006

Grant to University of Toledo
EPA and the University of Toledo announced a cooperative agreement to work collaboratively on advanced vehicle technology. The cooperative agreement will focus on improving and optimizing the components of hydraulic hybrid systems for vehicles.

Fact Sheet: Cooperative Agreement between EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality and the University of Toledo (PDF) (1 pg, 108K, EPA420-F-06-030, March 2006)

Press Release: EPA, University of Toledo to Join Forces on Hybrid Vehicle Research (March 24, 2006)

February 2005

Best Business Case for Hybrid Trucks
EPA announced a partnership to work on a Full Series Hydraulic Hybrid Urban Delivery Vehicle. EPA worked with United Parcel Service (UPS), Eaton, International Truck and Engine, and the U.S. Army to retrofit a UPS truck with a full-series hydraulic hybrid drive train that has been patented by EPA.

Fact Sheet: EPA Announces Partnership to Demonstrate World's First Full Hydraulic Hybrid Urban Delivery Vehicle (PDF) (1 pp, 133K, EPA420-F-05-006, February 2005)

Press Release: EPA to Build World's First Full Hydraulic Hybrid Urban Delivery Vehicle (February 10, 2005)

January 2005

Ford and EPA work on CDC
EPA announced a partnership with Ford to further develop Clean Diesel Combustion technology.

Fact Sheet: EPA and Ford to Develop Clean Diesel Combustion Technology (PDF) (1 pp, 118K, EPA420-F-05-007, January 2005)

EPA, Ford Test Promising Clean Diesel Technology on Passenger Vehicles (January 28, 2005)

May 2004

Partnership with Navistar
EPA announced a partnership with International Truck and Engine Corporation to further develop and bring to the market new clean diesel emissions control technology.

Fact Sheet: EPA and International Truck to Develop Clean Diesel Combustion Technology (PDF)  (1 pp, 237K, EPA420-F-04-036, May 2004)

March 2004 SUV with Hydraulic Hybrid technology
Click to learn more.
Full Series SUV Hydraulic Hybrid
EPA presents at the 2004 SAE conference a diesel full-series hydraulic hybrid SUV which achieves 85% better fuel economy.

For more information on the vehicle visit: Demonstration Vehicles.

 
March 2004 EPA Presents HCCI at SAE
EPA presented the developments of gasoline HCCI engines in a full-series HHV truck at the SAE World Congress.
2003 Work Truck with Hydraulic Hybrid technology
Click to learn more.
Parallel Hydraulic Hybrid in F-550
EPA demonstrated a parallel hydraulic hybrid in a Ford F-550 work truck which achieved a 20-30 percent improvement in fuel efficiency.
For more information on the vehicle visit: Demonstration Vehicles.
2003 EPA & Parker Form Partnership
EPA announced a partnership with Parker-Hannafin to further development of hydraulic hybrid vehicles.
November 2002 EPA Presents CDC Technology
EPA presented the results of Clean Diesel Combustion technology research at MIT
October 2001 EPA-Eaton-Ford Partnership
EPA announced a partnership with Ford and Eaton to develop hydraulic hybrid technologies.
2001 Clean Automotive Technology Initiated
EPA established the Clean Automotive Technology program to foster commercialization of promising EPA-developed technologies through industry partnerships.
2000 Sedan with Hydraulic Hybrid technology
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Hydraulic Hybrid Test Chassis
EPA demonstrated diesel full-series hydraulic hybrid test chassis (simulating a family sized car like a Chevy-Lumina, Dodge-Intrepid or Ford Taurus), which achieved over 80 mpg without any need to reduce weight using expensive light-weight materials.
For more information on the vehicle visit: Demonstration Vehicles.
1993-2000 PNGV Initiated
In 1993 the Partnership for New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) was initiated. EPA partnered with GM, Ford and Chrysler as well as several other government agencies to develop an 80 mpg "supercar". EPA's focus was to work with industry partners to demonstrate hydraulic hybrid technology and high efficiency alcohol-fueled engines.
1988 Hybrid Options Study
EPA studied various hybrid options. Pointed to cost-effectiveness potential for hydraulic hybrid vehicles.
1971-1974 Electrical Systems Study
EPA researched various configurations of electrical drive systems. Lead to a hybrid power split design configuration.

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