Publications

AFLEET Assesses Vehicle, Fuel, and Infrastructure Impacts

12/13/2023

AFLEET is a free tool from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that fleet managers can use to quantify the environmental and economic impacts of new fuels and vehicle technologies. The AFLEET fact sheet explains how the tool works and how to access it.

Guidelines to Determine Well-to-Gate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions of Hydrogen Production Pathways using 45VH2-GREET 2023

12/1/2023

This publication outlines how Argonne National Laboratory’s 2023 GREET model can be used to calculate lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of hydrogen production under a well-to-gate system boundary. The paper outlines the methodology used to calculate the well-to-gate GHG emissions of each of the hydrogen production pathway technologies currently represented in the tool, instructions for how users can run the GREET model, and the annual update process for the tool.

Cradle-to-Grave Lifecycle Analysis of U.S. Light-Duty Vehicle-Fuel Pathways: A Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Economic Assessment of Current (2020) and Future (2030-2035) Technologies

11/1/2023

This study provides a comprehensive life cycle analysis (LCA), or cradle-to-grave (C2G) analysis, of the cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of a variety of vehicle-fuel pathways, the levelized cost of driving (LCD) and cost of avoided GHG emissions. The C2G analysis assesses light duty midsize sedans and small sport utility vehicles (SUVs) across a variety of vehicle-fuel technology pathways, including conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), flexible hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs) with varying vehicle ranges, and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).

Authors: Kelly, J.C.; Elgowainy, A.; Isaac, R.; Ward, J.; Islam, E.; Rousseau, A.; Sutherland, I.; Wallington, T.J.; Alexander, M.; Muratori, M.; Franklin, M.; Adams, J.; Rustagi, N.

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Usage and Owner Demographics in New York State

8/1/2023

With mounting concerns over climate change and the environmental impact of fossil fuels, the United States has witnessed a growing interest in alternative fuel vehicles (AFV). This report presents the results of an analysis of AFV adoption patterns in New York State and the rest of the United States based on data from the 2017 National Household Travel Survey. Overall, the report reveals the demographics and mobility factors (e.g., household income, homeownership, and trip length) that contribute to the adoption of AFVs. The insights identified in this report can inform policy decisions aimed at promoting sustainable transportation solutions.

Authors: Pan, M; Uddin, M; Biehl, A; Hwang, H

U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap

6/1/2023

Informed by extensive industry and stakeholder feedback, this federal report sets forth a governmentwide approach to expanding the hydrogen fuel industry within the United States. Hydrogen not only offers a source of zero- and low-carbon fuel, but it also harbors significant potential to increase U.S. energy security and resilience, create economic value, and help slow the drivers of climate change. The hydrogen development pathways presented in this report are informed by demand scenarios for 2030, 2040, and 2050 with strategic opportunities to rapidly expand hydrogen production and reduce transportation emissions, including high-impact use cases for hydrogen, hydrogen cost reductions, and a focus on regional networks.

Authors: Sunita Satyapal, Neha Rustagi, Tomas Green, Marc Melaina, Michael Penev, Mariya Koleva

Road to Zero: Research and Industry Perspectives on Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles

5/19/2023

Medium-and heavy-duty vehicles comprise only a small fraction of on-road vehicles, yet disproportionately contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. This report provides an overview of the status, opportunities, challenges, and uncertainties for commercial zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). A bright outlook for ZEVs is identified, and the report discusses remaining ZEV barriers and uncertainties around fleet decisions and changes to vehicle operation, infrastructure, manufacturing, and future fuel and technology trends that can be informed through analysis.

Authors: Muratori, M; Borlaug, B; Ledna, C; Jadun, P; Kailas, A

State and Alternative Fuel Provider Fleets: Fleet Compliance Annual Report - Model Year 2021, Fiscal Year 2022

4/25/2023

This annual report of the Alternative Fuel Transportation Program, which ensures compliance with DOE regulations covering state government and alternative fuel provider fleets pursuant to the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), as amended, provides fleet compliance results for manufacturing year 2021/fiscal year 2022.

Clean Cities: A Model of Collaborative Technology Innovation Built Over 30 Years

4/19/2023

The Clean Cities Coalition Network is an example of successful government-sponsored efforts to address challenges and facilitate collaborative governance across sectors and levels of government within the transportation sector. In 1993, under what is now the Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) established Clean Cities in response to a requirement in the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 to implement voluntary alternative fuel deployment activities.1 VTO’s Technology Integration Program is responsible for the Clean Cities Coalition Network and many other activities. DOE created a collaborative governance effort that has translated higher-level policy goals into multiple local collaborative practices for more than 30 years.

Authors: Romero-Lankao, P.; Rosner, N.; Reichelt, L.; Allerhand, J.

Bioenergy Technology Office Multi-Year Program Plan

3/1/2023

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) works alongside national laboratories, universities, and private industry partners to advance clean energy technologies sourced from renewable carbon resources. This Multi-Year Program Plan (MYPP) establishes BETO’s missions and goals, while also identifying strategic approaches to the Office’s research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) plans. Included in these plans are initiatives to decarbonize multiple sectors of the U.S. economy, de-risk relevant technologies, create jobs and economic opportunities, and increase participation in the continued development and use of clean energy technologies. This MYPP is at once an internal, operational guide, as well as a resource to communicate BETO’s mission and goals to stakeholders and to the public.

Clean Cities Coalitions 2021 Activity Report

1/24/2023

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) works with local Clean Cities coalitions across the country as part of its Technology Integration Program. These efforts help businesses and consumers make smarter and more informed transportation energy choices that can save energy, lower costs, provide resilience through fuel diversification, and reduce air emissions. This report summarizes the success and impact of coalition activities based on data and information provided in their annual progress reports.

Authors: Singer, M.; Johnson, C.; Wilson, A.

The EPA Automotive Trends Report: Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Fuel Economy, and Technology since 1975

1/2/2023

This annual report summarizes information about new light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, fuel economy, technology data, and auto manufacturers' performance in meeting the agency’s GHG emissions standards.

Road Map to a U.S. Hydrogen Economy

1/2/2023

Since 1969, America has remained a leader in fuel cell and hydrogen technology, commercializing a wide range of technologies that produce, deliver, store, and utilize hydrogen across applications and sectors. Today, the hydrogen industry as well as the US are at a crossroads as the country’s energy future is determined. Hydrogen is a unique energy carrier with applications across sectors, and its use in the United States could provide many benefits.

2022 Public Transportation Fact Book

1/1/2023

The Public Transportation Fact Book, published annually, contains national aggregate statistical data covering all aspects of the transit industry in the United States and Canada. Major sections include an overview of U.S. transit facts, transit finances and operating statistics by modes of travel, transit vehicle characteristics and deliveries, facts and numbers relating to federal grants and the Federal Transit Act.

Authors: Dickens, M.

Notes:

This copyrighted publication can be accessed on the American Public Transportation Association's website.

Model Year 2023: Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicles

1/1/2023

This document lists the model, vehicle type, engine size, and fuel economy of a variety of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.

Techno-Economic, Feasibility, and Life Cycle Analysis of Renewable Propane: Final Report

10/1/2022

The Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) has engaged with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to develop information that is critical to understanding the current and future landscape for renewable propane (RP) and the value proposition for recovery of RP from existing and planned HEFA biorefineries. In summary the following outcomes are identified from this study: (1) production of incremental RP by increasing the severity of the hydroisomerization step is insignificant to the overall propane yield from a HEFA biorefinery, however production of renewable butane (or LPG2) is quite significant thus suggesting alternate strategies for valorizing these fractions; (2) the value proposition for recovering RP and renewable LPG is quite strong, with capital recovery payback periods of 14 months for a small biorefinery producing 3.5 million gallons per year RP to as short as 2 months for a large biorefinery producing 87 million gallons per year RP. Paybacks for renewable LPG are as much as 50% shorter; and (3) current and projected expansions of renewable diesel will greatly expand the potential availability of RP as a by-product. Several promising new pathways are under development but will not significantly increase production of RP for the next decade.

Authors: Robert M. Baldwin, Mark R. Nimlos, and Yimin Zhang