FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        
CONTACTS: Matt Williams (Stabenow): 202-224-1437
Cullen Schwarz (Peters): 202-225-5802

December 7, 2009
                                                                   

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and U.S. Congressman Gary Peters (D-MI) today announced the Senate introduction of the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009. The legislation provides critical funding to ensure manufacturers and suppliers in the United States lead the way in developing the next generation of advanced vehicles. China has announced plans to lead the world in the production of electric cars and spends $288 million a day in developing clean energy technology, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.  This bill will make sure we don’t lose this race to create clean energy jobs with countries like China. Congressman Peters introduced similar legislation earlier this year, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives (312-114).

“We need to build the new vehicles of the future here in America in order to create clean-energy jobs in Michigan and across the country,” said Stabenow. “The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act will provide crucial dollars to help our manufacturers and suppliers develop and deploy technologies to make more fuel-efficient vehicles, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and foreign technologies. I am pleased to partner with Congressman Peters in introducing this legislation that will help put Michigan’s economy back on track.”

“I greatly appreciate Senator Stabenow’s leadership on this issue in the Senate,” said Congressman Peters.  “Investing in advanced technology vehicle research and development will create good paying Michigan jobs and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.  Other nations are aggressively pursuing these technologies and we cannot afford to be left behind.  We need to ensure the cars of the future are built in Michigan, not overseas.  This initiative is good for the country and great for Michigan’s economy.”

“Automation Alley applauds Senator Stabenow and Congressman Peters for introducing the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009 in their respective bodies of Congress,” said Ken Rogers, executive director, Automation Alley. “The amount of industrial R&D conducted in Michigan ranks second in the nation behind only California, with the majority of those investments focused on passenger vehicle and commercial truck innovation. It is fitting and proper for the federal government to leverage these private sector dollars through support and coordination at the U.S. Department of Energy to achieve the national goals of vehicle hybridization, energy efficiency, and reduced dependence on foreign oil.”

The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act will provide funding to the U.S. Department of Energy for advanced vehicle research and development. The funding will be available through competitive grant awards for small, medium, and large manufacturers and suppliers that develop technologies to improve the energy efficiency of vehicles. These efforts include hybrid and electrical systems; advanced batteries and energy storage devices; hydrogen and natural gas systems; refueling and recharging infrastructure; and other advanced vehicle technologies. It will also expand the development of more fuel-efficient medium and heavy duty commercial trucks.

The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act is supported by a wide range of supporters from small, medium, and large suppliers, manufacturers, environmental associations, and business organizations.