Diesel Technology Forum Statement on Obama Administration Announcement of $187 Million in Economic Stimulus Funds for Fuel Efficiency

WASHINGTON--The Diesel Technology Forum (DTF) issued the following statement in response to the Obama Administration announcement today in Indiana of the award of $187 million in stimulus funds for various projects to increase fuel efficiency.

“We congratulate the DTF member companies that are recipients of these awards – Cummins, Daimler Trucks, Delphi, Ford, General Motors, Navistar, and Robert Bosch. All of these companies along with the other members of the Forum are leaders in clean diesel technology and innovation.”

“Providing stimulus funds for clean diesel technology is a wise public investment. Diesel engine and truck makers and suppliers have a proven track record of working with the Department of Energy to turn government research investments into real-world results. Past research investments are already benefitting Americans through lower emissions and more efficient commercial truck transportation,” said Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director.

“These investments further emphasize the important role of clean diesel technology in moving the nation’s goods and powering more fuel-efficient cars and light trucks. As the administration looks for ways to create jobs and improve energy-efficiency, diesel industry investments make sense. The U.S. is a leader in clean diesel technology and has a substantial manufacturing base in the U.S. for on- and off-road diesel engines, vehicles and equipment. It is also a proven technology that is working today and has undergone a complete environmental transformation to compete in the future.”

“Thanks in part to past research investments in combustion efficiency and emissions control technology, today’s new diesel engines used in cars and commercial trucks have near zero emissions. Similar advancements are being implemented in off-road construction and farm equipment as well as marine and locomotive applications. Diesels are the most energy efficient internal combustion engines and their greater use in passenger cars offers the U.S. one of the most proven ways to reduce demand for foreign oil and lower emissions of greenhouse gases.”

“We congratulate the DTF member companies that are recipients of these awards – Cummins, Daimler Trucks, Delphi, Ford, General Motors, Navistar, and Robert Bosch. All of these companies along with the other members of the Forum are leaders in clean diesel technology and innovation.”

Today’s announcement notes that $115.7 million or about 62 percent of the funds are going toward projects to improvement efficiency by 50 percent in freight truck applications while the remainder ($71.3M) seeks to increase the fuel efficiency of engines in passenger vehicles by 25-40 percent. To view the DOE release visit http://www.energy.gov/news2009/releases.htm

ABOUT THE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY FORUM

The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit national organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology, and working with policymakers and other stakeholders on common solutions. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology and represent the three key elements of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, vehicles and equipment, cleaner diesel fuel and emissions-control systems. For more information, visit www.dieselforum.org.