House Bill Will Set Aside Half a Billion a Year For Research into Hybrids, Batteries, and Other Alternatives

House Committee on Science and Technology unanimously approved a $550 million bill (H.R. 3246) that begins in 2010 and would grow to $590 million by 2014 to fund research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of vehicles and related technologies.  Another $200 million, again increasing each year to $240 million in 2014, would go to Medium and Heavy Duty Commercial Vehicles.  Another $35 million, decreasing down to $15 million by 2014,  would go to user facilities and $20 million is being set for three years running (2010-2012) to a non-road pilot program.

The funds will go towards the Energy Dept for conducting research on advanced vehicle technologies, including batteries and storage devices, hydrogen fuel cells, engines and communications. It would also provide support for construction and modification of new vehicle, engine, and component research and testing facilities.

The intention of the bill would be to provide for a program of research, development, demonstration and commercial application in vehicle technologies at the Department of Energy (DOE) with a goal of reducing or eliminating petroleum fuel use and their associated emissions. The bill highlights critical research needs and emphasizes needs in medium- to heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

This legislation will help ensure the vehicles of the future are built in the U.S., creating new jobs here at home,” said bill author Rep. Gary Peters (D-MI). “To sufficiently transition our transportation sector off of foreign oil, we must develop more fuel efficient passenger vehicles and commercial trucks. The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act will help America take a major step toward energy independence.”

General Motors Co., Chrysler Group LLC and Ford Motor Co. endorsed the bill, as did the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association and many major auto suppliers. (Source: DetNews)

"Development of advanced technologies for both heavy-duty trucks and passenger vehicles is a worthwhile national investment and requires a coordinated effort at the federal level," said Charles G. "Chip" McClure; chairman, CEO and president of auto supplier ArvinMeritor, Inc.