IMR is expanding its research to include alternative fuel vehicles and their infrastructure because of the important role they will play in reducing harmful air pollutants created by vehicle exhaust emissions.  Additionally, utilizing alternative fuels can decrease our dependence on imported fossil fuels.  IMR is conducting research on hydrogen-fueled vehicles and what these vehicles can mean for the California Hydrogen Highway Network.

Researchers at IMR and the University of California, Irvine have launched an ambitious project to study plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). The research includes studying behavioral responses to PHEVs and the option to plug the vehicles into the utility grid to recharge batteries, technical energy use, environmental and economic assessments, air quality modeling and testing and certification. The project, with support from Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. and the California Air Resources Board will also evaluate general consumer perceptions of the relative strengths and weaknesses of the PHEV as compared to other advanced vehicle technologies, such as gasoline-electric hybrids, fuel cell vehicles, and battery electric vehicles.

Alternative fuel vehicles include any dedicated, flexible-fuel, or dual-fuel vehicle designed to operate on at least one alternative fuel, such as hydrogen. IMR is working on a project with the California Department of Transportation to gauge users’ experiences driving a prototype hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, and to explore the possibility of using intelligent transportation systems to increase access to the currently limited hydrogen highway infrastructure.