Ricardo Wins Funding for Two US Department of Energy Fuel Efficiency R&D Projects

Release date: 09 August 2007

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel W. Bodman has announced the Department will award a total of up to $21.5 million for eleven cost-shared research and development (R&D) projects that aim to improve the fuel efficiency of light-duty vehicle engines. Ricardo, Inc. will be actively involved in two of these projects, with a combined DOE funding value of $3.4 million

In announcing this R&D investment Secretary Bodman said: “We expect this research to make significant strides toward maximizing an engine’s performance in a cleaner, more economical manner. Increasing the use of clean, renewable fuels will not only help reduce our reliance on imported oil, but will also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions for a more secure energy future.”

The two projects in which Ricardo, Inc. will participate will see the company working respectively with General Motors on engine downsizing through the use of cooled EGR, and with Robert Bosch LLC and the University of Michigan on advanced flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) technologies.

Commenting on the announcement by the DOE Ricardo, Inc., President, Dean Harlow, said:

“We are pleased to have been selected to work with leading research partners on these two high profile fuel efficiency projects. In our efforts on cooled EGR with General Motors we aim to deliver up to 15 per cent fuel efficiency improvements in gasoline combustion and in our work with Bosch and the University of Michigan, we aim to develop flex-fuel technologies capable of delivering gasoline-like fuel economy when running on E-85. We are pleased to be a part of these important research projects which underscore our fundamental commitment in this area: Ricardo is fuel economy.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Ricardo, Inc: The premier global eco-innovation technology firm, Ricardo Inc is the North American subsidiary of Ricardo plc, a leader in the development and application of new technologies and a partner to global transportation sector OEMs in the creation of new vehicles, powertrains, controls / electronics and new-energy technologies. The company’s expertise ranges from concept design and strategic consulting through to prototype production and manufacturing implementation. Ricardo’s skill base represents the state-of-the-art in low emissions and fuel-efficient powertrain technology, and can be best summarised: “Ricardo is Fuel Economy.”

Ricardo plc: With technical centres and offices in the UK, USA, Germany, the Czech Republic, China, Japan and Korea, Ricardo is a leading independent technology provider and strategic consultant to the world’s transportation sector industries. The company’s engineering expertise ranges from vehicle systems integration, controls, electronics and software development, to the latest driveline and transmission systems and gasoline, diesel, hybrid and fuel cell powertrain technologies. Its customers include the world’s major vehicle, engine and transmission manufacturers, tier 1 suppliers and leading motorsport teams. Ricardo is committed to excellence and industry leadership in people, technology and knowledge; approximately 70 per cent of its employees are highly qualified multi-disciplined professional engineers and technicians. A public company, Ricardo plc posted sales of £173 million in financial year 2006 and is a constituent of the FTSE techMark 100 index – a group of innovative technology companies listed on the London Stock Exchange.