The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched an initiative to reduce emissions from off-road vehicles. The Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), and Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) have jointly released a Request for Information (RFI) to explore clean energy solutions for off-road transportation.
This RFI aims to gather insights on the best technologies and identify challenges in achieving net-zero emissions in the off-road sector by 2050. Off-road vehicles, like those used in construction, mining, agriculture, and recreation, account for 10% of U.S. transportation greenhouse gas emissions. The DOE is seeking feedback from experts to help shape future research and investments.
The Biden-Harris administration is committed to fighting climate change and has set ambitious goals to eliminate emissions from all transportation sectors, including off-road vehicles, by 2050. In January 2023, the DOE, along with other federal agencies, released the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, outlining a plan to achieve this goal. This plan involves the entire supply chain, from fuel production to equipment manufacturing and regulatory measures.
Key questions the DOE aims to answer include:
1. What is the current status of the off-road vehicle fleet?
2. Which powertrain technologies show the most promise for decarbonizing off-road vehicles?
3. What is the timeline for transitioning the off-road sector to net-zero emissions?
The RFI considers various propulsion technologies, including biodiesel, renewable diesel, renewable natural gas, battery electric, direct electrification, electric hybrids, hydrogen-fueled engines, and hydrogen fuel cells. The DOE is looking for input on which of these technologies could be the best fit for reducing emissions in the off-road sector.
By collecting and analyzing this information, the DOE hopes to develop a comprehensive strategy to make off-road transportation cleaner and more sustainable.
