Background
In the early 1970's, concern over our growing dependence on imported petroleum, coupled to concerns about our deteriorating air quality due to emissions from combustion of fossil fuels, spurred the Federal government into action. The timeline shows the key milestones relating to hydrogen and fuel cell federally-supported R&D over the last three decades.
The current administration's National Energy Policy (NEP), published in May 2001, recommended that DOE:
- Focus research and development efforts on integrating current programs regarding hydrogen, fuel cells, and distributed energy; and
- Develop an education campaign that communicates the benefits of alternative forms of energy, including hydrogen
In response to these recommendations, DOE brought together visionary business leaders, technical experts from industry, academia and the national laboratories to develop a National Hydrogen Vision and National Hydrogen Energy Roadmap, which laid the foundation for the President's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative. The President's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative and FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership are now working together to allow industry to achieve a technology readiness milestone by 2015.
Federal Support for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell R&D
| 2005 |
Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 2005
(PDF 1.28 MB)
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- Directed Energy Secretary to "conduct a research and development program—in consultation with other federal agencies and the private sector—on technologies related to the production, purification, distribution, storage, and use of hydrogen energy, fuel cells, and related infrastructure."
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| 2004 |
FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership Plan
(PDF 145 KB) |
- Partnership plan for DOE, USCAR, and industry efforts to advance research and development of affordable hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and a national hydrogen infrastructure.
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| 2003 |
President's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative |
- President George W. Bush announced "$1.2 billion in research funding so that America can lead the world in developing clean, hydrogen-powered automobiles."
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| 2002 |
Founding Agreement for FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership
(PDF 85 KB)
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- Partnership between DOE and USCAR to advance research for affordable hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
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| 2001 |
National Energy Policy |
- Directed Energy Secretary to "develop next generation technology—including hydrogen."
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| 1996 |
Hydrogen Future Act of 1996
(PDF 152 KB)
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- Specified funding levels for Hydrogen Program
- Specified evaluation of integrating fuel cells with photovoltaic systems for hydrogen production or with systems for hydrogen production from solid waste via gasification.
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| 1992 |
Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 |
- Directed Energy Secretary to "develop and implement a comprehensive program of research development, and demonstration of fuel cells and relate systems for transportation applications..."
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| 1990 |
Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development and Demonstration Act of 1990
(MS Word 45 KB) |
- Developed 5-year management plan for hydrogen R&D
- Established Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel (HTAP) to advise Secretary of Energy
- Transferred Hydrogen Program to USDOE
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| 1987 |
Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Program expanded to include fuel cell R&D activities |
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| 1976 |
Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1976 |
- Created to "encourage and support accelerated research into, and development of electric and hybrid vehicle technologies..."
- Authorized the Hydrogen Program (managed by National Science Foundation)
- US DOE established the Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Program
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| 1977 |
US Department of Energy (USDOE) created. |
- Transferred AAPSP to USDOE
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| 1970's |
Advanced Automotive Propulsion System Program (AAPSP) created (USEPA) |
- Developed advanced propulsion alternatives to internal combustion engines and to evaluated the performance of alternative fuels in vehicles.
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