Recommendation. OAAT should define the technical approaches to achieving its objectives in terms of specific actions. Suggested approaches to overcoming technical barriers might be solicited from the larger technical community, particularly when innovations or nontraditional technologies are needed.

Recommendation. To enhance the overall credibility of the plan, OAAT should do the following:

• clearly state the bases for the technical targets
• explain the proposed procedures for updating and refining targets as more data become available
• ensure that targets for the various technologies are defined consistently in terms of efficiencies and functional units

Recommendation. To ensure implementation of the plan in the face of budget uncertainties, the OAAT should prioritize R&D both within and across technology areas.

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DOE. 1996b. Office of Transportation Technologies Strategic Plan. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Energy.

DOE. 1997. Energy Efficient Technologies for 21st Century Vehicles: Research and Development Plan for the Office of Advanced Automotive Technologies. Final Draft, June 17, 1997. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Energy.

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NRC. 1997. Review of the Research Program of the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles, Third Report. Board on Energy and Environmental Systems and Transportation Research Board. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.

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