Development Time Table

The Consortium will follow this general phased timetable for development.

Phase 1- Build Membership and Preliminary Design

1. Build Consortium membership inviting key component suppliers and organizations

2. Prepare a system design overview containing “available technologies” for a proposed PHEV demonstration car.

3. Consortium invites OEM(s) to participate in a leadership role to develop “proof-of-concept” PHEV that meets OEM price & performance criteria.

Phase 2 – Phantom Works Funding and Prototype Build

1. OEM(s) assume project system integrator lead

2. Develop multi-state “Program Level Request” for “Phantom Works Project” funding

3. OEM(s) and participating component suppliers receive matching funding Federal and State funding.

4. In addition to the design proposed by the Consortium, OEM’s may work directly with Component members to supply components or technology for other projects or designs

5. Build and demonstrate advanced PHEV demonstration vehicle with OEM.

6. Proceed in an accelerated “commercial” phantom works project mainstream FreedomCar with fast track funding and development cycles.

7. Demonstrate the PHEV vehicle and document performance.

8. Lobby for EPA ratings that consider PHEV “dual-mode” operation.

Fast Track Commercial Phantom Works Style Development
The consortium’s primary objective is to facilitate the commercial production of a commercially viable PHEV design by building and demonstrating a PHEV-20 and PHEV-50 vehicle though a “Fast Track” commercial Phantom Works style development project with the leadership of one or more participating automakers who steps up to build the proposed design.

The consortium hopes to work with more than one OEM to apply its technology to a variety of vehicle designs and performance objectives. By demonstrating advanced PHEV technology in a variety of vehicles, automakers can meet the diverse needs of the consumers from, pure economy, to reduced fuel consumption and increase power in work related or heavy vehicles by providing increased power without environmental penalties.

OEMs may adapt technology into current internal designs or participate in the federally funded Phantom works demonstration vehicle project.

Commercialization Strategy
The consortium will “yield” the total system design to participating OEMs to facilitae the adaptation of the components upon which the design is based. Each participant will maintain ownership of their proprietary IP. Participants benefit through the ultimate high volume sale of their components to OEM’s via commercial manufacturing.

The Consortium is a non-profit association with commercial objectives. The organization seeks to allow free market forces to “drive” rapid and sustainable development of PHEVs commercial production for the ultimate benefit of consumers and this nation.

Target Pricing and Incentive Strategies
In order to achieve the goal of maintaining vehicle pricing in a practical and sustainable way, the Consortium proposes to divide the pricing goals into the vehicle costs and battery/energy storage costs.

To reach the target-pricing goals of the project, the prototype must deliver hybrid capabilities at a price point acceptable by consumers i.e. without significant increase in purchase price. By lobbying for political support that for tax credits applied for non-petroleum or “battery miles driven” we hope to offset the cost of batteries and thereby maintain the price parity of the vehicle. As battery production and sales volumes increase, tax credits would diminish allowing a sustainable reduced battery price at high production and sales volumes.

Political Support & Funding
The Consortium provides its members and the industry with an opportunity for a more credible, and stronger voice for political support of PHEVs in Washington. This cohesive voice can be instrumental in securing program level funding for the Phantom works development project and in lobbying for political support for battery tax credits and incentives for the use of renewable energy and other programs. It also provides a more balanced view between OEMs and critical component suppliers of production feasibility and availability of technology to the DOE that is critical for long-term planning and in building a responsible “bridge” plan from petroleum based economy to a diversified energy economy that includes a much greater role for clean renewable electric energy, hydrogen and other clean renewable sources.

Bridge to Hydrogen
Most importantly, a successful PHEV demonstration project yielding a commercially viable design with production ready components may offer a critical and more immediate “bridge” to hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles by extending precious oil reserves and advancing vehicle design and production toward electric-motor-dominant hybrid systems as is required by FCEVs of the near future.

Near term PHEV commercial development also supports the advancement of our current infrastructure by delivering our most widely used type of clean renewable energy via our electric grid. This not only buys time for other advancements without crisis, but helps keep nationwide energy costs low through more efficient energy generation and distribution. Night time recharge using renewable electric energy generated by domestic fuel sources including an ever increasing proportion of non-carbon based clean generation such as wind, nuclear, and others.

Expanding the nations electric energy infrastructure is critical to keep up with country’s growing demand as we bridge toward the hydrogen economy of the future.