Federal support for the development of alternative automotive power systems: the general issue and the Stirling, diesel, and electric cases. Final report, 1 Nov 1974--30 Nov 1975

The role of the federal government in supporting alternative automotive powerplant R and D for the explicit purpose of advancing the state-of-the-art is examined. The process by which major product technology changes occur in the automotive industry is discussed, and the automotive market is examined for divergences between private and social costs and benefits, especially with respect to air pollution and fuel economy. The nature of the cost-benefit analysis problem is discussed and three specific technologies are examined in detail and recommendations made as to government-supported R and D for each.