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Home > About > Background > FreedomCar Partnership

FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership

Coordinating the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Development Efforts of the Federal Government, Automakers and Energy Providers

FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership Logo

The Partnership is a collaborative effort among DOE, energy companies—BP America, Chevron Corporation, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil Corporation, and Shell Hydrogen (US)—and the U.S. Council for Automotive Research (USCAR) partners (DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors Corporation).

The partners jointly conduct technology roadmapping, determine technical requirements, suggest research and development (R&D) priorities, and monitor the R&D activities necessary to achieve the goals of the Partnership. Technology roadmapping includes identification of existing barriers and challenges, technology-specific R&D goals (including cost targets) and milestones to progress toward the overall Partnership goals.

All of the partners independently undertake their own research activities on advanced light-duty vehicle and/or fuel technologies relevant to achievement of the vision or through separate legal arrangements. USCAR partners jointly conduct related collaborative precompetitive R&D. Companies will make independent decisions on commercialization depending upon establishment of viable business cases.

The FreedomCAR Technical Teams include:

  • Fuel Cell Systems
  • Advanced Combustion and Emissions Control
  • Electrochemical Energy Storage
  • Vehicle Systems Analysis
  • Materials
  • Electrical and Electronics

The Fuel Technical Teams include:

  • Hydrogen Production
  • Hydrogen Delivery
  • Fuel Pathway Integration

There are also two cross-cutting Joint Technical Teams:

  • On-Board Hydrogen Storage
  • Codes and Standards

FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership Steering Group

Executive Steering Group includes the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Energy R&D Vice Presidents,and the DOE EERE Assistant Secretary. The Fuel Operations Group includes Energy Directors and DOE Program Managers. FreedomCAR includes the Operations Group, OEM Directors and DOE Program Managers. The Fuel Operations Group and FreedomCAR work together as the Joint Operations Group. Fuel Tech Teams, which include Hydrogen Production, Hydrogen Delivery, and Fuel Pathway Integration, report to the Fuel Operations Group and work together with the Joint Tech Teams and Fuel Cell and Vehicle Tech Teams. The Joint Tech Teams, which consists of the On-Board Hydrogen Storage and Codes and Standards report to the Fuel Operations Group and FreedomCAR. The Fuel Cell and Vehicle Tech Teams consists of Fuel Cell Systems, Advanced Combustion Emission Control, Electrochemical Energy Storage, Vehicle Systems Analysis, Materials, and Electrical and Electronics.

Learn more about the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership