In the quest to become less dependent on foreign oil, we're participating in the FreedomCAR program. FreedomCAR is the joint partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy and the auto industry.
Creating a Hydrogen-Powered Transportation System
The "Freedom" in FreedomCAR represents the following:
- Freedom from petroleum dependence
- Freedom from pollutant emissions
- Freedom to choose the vehicle you want
- Freedom to drive where you want and when you want
- Freedom to obtain fuel affordably and conveniently
The "CAR" in FreedomCAR stands for Cooperative Automotive Research. The DOE and USCAR (a partnership of Ford Motor Company, DaimlerChrysler, and General Motors) represent the government and industry in FreedomCAR.
The ultimate vision of FreedomCAR is a transportation system powered by hydrogen.
Demonstrating Hydrogen's Potential
The demonstration program begins this year with the goal of validating hydrogen-powered vehicles and infrastructure in real-world operating conditions. We expect to participate in the demonstration with Ford Focus Fuel Cell Vehicles as the cornerstone of our participation.
To ensure that interim progress towards improving energy efficiency continues, FreedomCAR also has active research programs in battery development, lightweight materials, clean combustion and power electronics.
Currently, there are seven technical teams working on the FreedomCAR project:
- Advanced Combustion and Emissions Control
- Electrochemical Storage
- Electrical and Electronics
- Fuel Cells
- Hydrogen Storage and Vehicle Interface
- Materials
- Systems Engineering and Analysis
More Information
In addition to FreedomCAR, we also participate in several research consortia under USCAR. For more information on these programs, visit the USCAR website.
