Research to Reduce Costs of Electric Vehicle Chargers
December 27, 2011
As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to reduce America’s dependence on oil through advanced vehicle technologies, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced awards totaling nearly $7 million in research and development funding that will help to reduce the current costs of electric vehicle chargers by 50% over the next three years. With support from the Energy Department, manufacturers in California, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania will work to improve the development and design of charging equipment. This research will promote “smart” charging capabilities that can help ensure electric vehicles enhance, rather than strain, existing electrical grid capacity.
Improving the functionality and affordability of electric vehicle chargers is an important step in supporting the deployment of electric vehicles that can help to reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil. Developing smart electric vehicle chargers will provide more options to consumers and accelerate the build-out of charging infrastructure in ways that strengthen the electric grid.
With electric vehicles, smart chargers and smart grid technologies, the grid can more efficiently manage the availability and reliability of power, especially during peak times and at popular charging locations.
Two of the four selected projects will focus on improving electric vehicle chargers that attach to consumers’ homes and are used by the owners to charge their vehicles while they are at home. The other two selected projects will focus on chargers used at commercial and public locations to charge large numbers of vehicles, including commercial fleets of delivery vehicles.
The four projects selected for awards are listed on the website mentioned below. These research and development investments will leverage additional investments from the industry grantees. Final award amounts are subject to negotiation.
For more information see: Research to Reduce Costs of Electric Vehicle Chargers
