The U.S. Government's electric and hybrid vehicle program is divided into four major program areas: (1) battery research and development, (2) propulsion system development, (3) test and evaluation, and (4) studies and assessments. This overview paper will describe the progress and status of the technology development of six battery couples (lead-acid, nickel-iron, sodium-sulfur, nickel-cadmium, iron-air, and zinc-bromine). The status of the development of two major a.c. propulsion systems by Ford Motor Company and the Eaton Corporation will be given. The testing and evaluation activities both in the laboratory and in fleet operations will be described including the product improvements by the site operators' user task force. improvements by the site operators' user task force. The results of the advanced vehicle systems assessment and the hybrid vehicle technology assessment will be reviewed. (A)
Samenvatting