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Friday, July 17, 2009          

                                                       
CONTACT: Cullen Schwarz
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CONGRESSMAN PETERS INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO SPUR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT

Bill Would Substantially Increase Funding for DOE Vehicle Development Program, Greatly Expand Efforts to Develop Fuel Efficient Commercial Trucks

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Gary Peters today introduced legislation to spur the production of new advanced technology vehicles in the United States, substantially increasing federal support for fuel efficient vehicle development.  The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009 (H.R. 3246), will increase the funding authorization for the Department of Energy to carry out advanced technology vehicle and component part research and development to $550 million for fiscal year 2010 ($590 million by 2014), an increase of over 50 percent.  The legislation will also aggressively expand efforts to develop fuel efficient commercial truck technologies and engage auto parts and component suppliers in DOE research and development programs.

“Now that domestic auto companies have survived intensive restructuring and bankruptcy, it’s time to look to the future,” said Rep. Peters.  “American auto companies have undergone rapid change to bring down costs, now they need to focus on selling cutting-edge vehicles.  This legislation will help ensure the cars of the future are built here in the U.S.” 
 
The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act sets aside $200 million for medium-to-heavy duty truck technology development, including cooperative research, development, demonstration and commercial application activities.  The bill also creates a full-time director appointed by the Energy Secretary to coordinate research activities, and requires the DOE to recruit new industry participants like parts suppliers, who have traditionally been much less involved in its programs.

“To sufficiently transition our transportation sector away from foreign oil, we must develop more fuel efficient passenger vehicles and commercial trucks,” said Rep. Peters.  “The U.S. transportation sector accounts for 24 percent of global oil demand and a large majority of our demand is met by imported supplies.  If we do not build more fuel efficient vehicles we will never be energy independent.  Other nations have gotten a head start on developing advanced transportation technologies.  It’s been said that America is in danger of trading its dependence on foreign oil for a dependence on foreign batteries. More people in Washington are starting to understand that without investments like the ones in this bill, that prediction will likely come true.”

Summary of H.R. 3246, the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009

Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009
Summary
July 16, 2009

The “Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009” authorizes federal research and development activities at the Department of Energy for advanced vehicle and medium-to-heavy duty commercial truck technologies.  The legislation invests in a diverse range of near-term and long-range technologies that will improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, support domestic research and manufacturing, and lead to greater consumer choice of vehicle technologies and fuels.  The legislation strengthens public-private partnerships between federal agencies and industry and academic sectors.

The Act authorizes $550 million for fiscal year 2010, and increases that amount by $10 million per year through 2014.  This represents more than a $200 million increase in federal vehicle research investment.

Title I of the bill establishes a vehicle research and development program.  The Secretary will conduct research in the areas of batteries and storage devices, hybridization and electrification, hydrogen fuel cells, engine systems and components, and communications for vehicle and electric grid infrastructures.  The bill supports research and development of advanced vehicle manufacturing technologies, and provides support for construction and modification of new vehicle, engine, and component research and testing facilities. 

Title II establishes a research program for advanced technologies for medium-to-heavy duty commercial trucks and transit vehicles.   The Secretary will develop a program of cooperative research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities and partner with other relevant federal R&D programs and industry stakeholders.  A full-time program Director will be appointed to coordinate research activities, evaluate program activities and recruit new industry participants.  This title also establishes a pilot program of research, development, demonstration and commercial applications of technologies to improve machine and system efficiency for heavy duty non-road equipment.

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