80 MPG technology delayed

The Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles, (PNGV) a U.S. technology program involving the U.S. government and the OEM sector, will fail to produce affordable, producible 80 MPG autos by 2004, according to a U.S. federal review. PNGV was launched in 1993 with the goal of developing safe, affordable four-door sedans with three times the fuel efficenceny of then-current autos. According to the Reuters news agency, total spending on the project exceeds four billion $US, and has resulted in technologies (such as advanced hybrids and fuel cells) that met the technical goals of the program, but at a cost that would run several thousand dollars over similar conventionally powered cars in production. The Bush administration has announced cutbacks of the budget for PNGV of $US 40 million to $US 100 million, although Congress may restore some funding.