Advanced Vehicle Technology Act To Encourage Innovation, Protect Jobs and Increase National Security

Washington, D.C.--Congressman Eliot Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, voted to strengthen our economy and national security by boosting American innovation in alternative energies and fuel efficient vehicle technology. The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act (HR 3246) will create the most comprehensive national vehicle research and development program to date. The measure passed the full House by a vote of 312-114.

“Our country’s addiction to foreign oil has put both our national and economic security at risk by sending billions of dollars overseas for oil. In many cases, we are actually lining the pockets of our enemies,” said Rep. Engel. “By investing in American technology to boost fuel efficiency, we are creating jobs, rebuilding our economy and protecting our national security. The time is long overdue to make these changes in our energy policy and I believe we can go even further.”

Rep. Engel has introduced the Open Fuel Standard Act (H.R. 1476) which would require half of all cars made or sold in America by 2012, and 80% by 2015, to be flexible fuel vehicles. These vehicles would be able to run on gasoline, or alcohol-based fuels such as methanol or ethanol, or a combination of both. Alcohol fuels, including both ethanol and methanol, offer the potential for significant supplies of fuels that can be produced in the United States, and in other Western Hemisphere countries friendly to the United States.

“I will continue to fight for the Open Fuel Standard Act, portions of which were included in the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES). Flex-fuel vehicles allow for competition and consumer choice in the transportation fuel market which would serve to end oil’s monopoly in the transportation sector, strip oil of its strategic status, and protect consumers from price gouging at the pump. Flex-fuel vehicles are estimated to cost only $100 more than the same car in a gasoline-only version. Some experts say the added cost could be as low as $30. It is a simple and inexpensive modification that should be standard in cars, like seatbelts or airbags,” said Rep. Engel.

The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act will build on the historic fuel efficiency standards enacted under a Democratic-led Congress in 2007 and the success with the Cash for Clunkers program – a national program that rewarded Americans who turned in almost 700,000 gas-guzzling and air-polluting older cars for newer, more fuel-efficient models.

The House also passed a clean energy jobs bill which will help the private sector create millions of new American jobs and help energy-intensive industries transition to a cleaner, more profitable future. It will also allow American technology and innovation to be exported to the rest of world and cut American oil use by five million barrels a day by 2030 – the equivalent of what is imported now from Venezuela and the Middle East.

The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act:

• Invests in technology to improve fuel efficiency, domestic research and manufacturing.
• Research and development investment will help auto companies rebound and better compete globally. Technologies developed includes hybrid or fully-electrified vehicle propulsion systems, hydrogen fuel cells, battery advancements, engine energy efficiency, waste heat recovery systems, friction and wear reduction technology, and increased engine durability.
• Better enables American competition in cutting-edge vehicle production.

The bipartisan Advanced Vehicle Technology Act is supported by a broad coalition, including labor groups like the United Autoworkers, auto companies such as Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Chrysler and business groups like the National Association of Manufacturers.