U.S., China Extend Agreement for Vehicle Efficiency
October 2, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and China's Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) signed a five-year agreement to promote large-scale deployment of next-generation efficiency vehicle technologies in the U.S. and China specifically focusing on electric, hybrid-electric, fuel cell and alternative fuel technologies.
This agreement falls under the "umbrella" agreement on cooperation in science and technology between the U.S. and Chinese governments and implements a protocol for cooperation in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy technology development and use between the DOE and MOST.
As part of this agreement, the DOE and MOST will focus their cooperation on:
The two countries will work with national laboratories, automotive industries and private industry organizations involved in energy efficient transportation, said the DOE.
The countries' cooperation will include:
- Technical information exchanges, experiences and visits - to address research and development programs, technical and economic evaluation, maintenance and operational procedures relating to vehicle technologies.
- Joint economic, environment and policy studies - to enhance understanding of appropriate mechanisms and policies to promote adoption of electric vehicles in an environmentally and economically sound manner.
- Technology demonstrations - to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of advanced vehicle technologies.
- Professional training - to develop advanced vehicle and supporting technologies.
The U.S. is touted as being the largest consumer and producer of cars in the world. In 2006, China became second largest consumer of and the third largest producer of vehicles in the world, according to the DOE.
According to a projection of Chinese motor vehicle growth by the DOE's Argonne National Laboratory, by 2030, China could have more highway vehicles than the U.S. currently has.
China has approximately 9 million passenger cars on the road and by 2030 it is expected to have between 115-147 million passenger cars on the road, said the DOE.
As part of the U.S.'s ongoing bilateral work with China, the agreement follows a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the DOE and China's National Development and Reform Commission aimed at increasing cooperation and energy efficiency in China's industrial sector, which accounts for 70% of the country's total energy demand, said the DOE.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).