Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Vehicle R&D: FreedomCAR and the President’s Hydrogen Fuel Initiative Page: 4 of 6

                                
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Debate Over the Initiatives
The creation of FreedomCAR and the President's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative has raised
debate over several issues. These issues include the proper role of the government in
R&D, as well as the proper level of funding, and concerns over energy efficiency and fuel
consumption.
Some environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, have criticized the initiatives.
They argue that while funding will be increased for efficient technologies, the initiatives
will not require auto manufacturers to make fuel cell vehicles available to customers by
any specific time.9 Also, groups such as the Natural Resources Defense Council argue
that the initiatives were put in place to forestall significant increases in national fuel
economy standards.0
On the other hand, the Administration argues that the increase in funding will
provide significant impetus for advancements in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, and
that without those advancements, the technology would be unaffordable for consumers."1
Further, some engineers argue that FreedomCAR's efficiency and cost goals may be
difficult to attain in the time frame of the program, and that any sort of sales goal would
be unrealistic.12 Moreover, industry groups argue that an explicit sales goal could force
manufacturers to abandon R&D on other promising technologies like gasoline-electric
hybrids.
Even among supporters of the program, there is criticism that FreedomCAR and the
President's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative are under-funded and that additional government
commitments to hydrogen and fuel cells must be made. According to some proponents,
these commitments could take the form    of increased R&D   funding, expanded
demonstration programs, vehicle and fuel sales or production incentives, and other
incentives to make these vehicles attractive to customers.13
Research at Other Agencies
In addition to DOE, other government agencies are also involved in fuel cell vehicle
R&D, although this funding is considerably lower. The National Automotive Center
(NAC), part of the Army's Tank-Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering
Center (TARDEC), coordinates fuel cell vehicle research between the Department of
Defense (DOD) and private contractors, and partners with DOE, the Department of
9 J. L. Laws, "Budget II: Bush Ups Ante On Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles," Greenwire. January
29, 2003.
10 Harry Stoffer, "Unmoved by Hydrogen, Critics Seek Higher CAFE," Automotive News.
January 21, 2002. p. 3.
" Sheila Schimpf, "Abraham Says Hydrogen Plan to Focus On Lowering Costs, Developing
Infrastructure," Daily Environment Report. February 10, 2003. p. A-11.
12 Sheila Schimpf, "DOE Official Reaffirms Commitment to Developing Auto Fuel Cell
Technology," Daily Environment Report. August 9, 2002. p. A-2.
13 Carol Cole, "FreedomFuel Only 'First Step,' More Needed to Advance Hydrogen," Octane
Week. February 10, 2003.