THE ROLE FOR FEDERAL R AND D ON ALTERNATIVE AUTOMOTIVE POWER SYSTEMS

This report examines the question: Is it appropriate for the Federal Government to support R and D on alternative automotive power systems. Potential alternatives to the internal combustion engine (ICE) include the stratified charge, Wankel, diesel, Rankine cycle, Stirling cycle, gas turbine, electric and hybrid systems. These engines may offer advantages over the ICE but considerable development would be required, and Federal support has been proposed. The five sections of the report are: a description of the central issue and a set of underlying issues, a review of the relevant technology, an exploration of the role for Federal R and D in overall Federal policy concerning the automobile, an analysis of present programs in industry and government, and conclusions. Appendices review the history of Federal programs and describe the content of present industry and government programs.