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S 734 ISRSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

112th CONGRESSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

1st SessionCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

S. 734CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To provide for a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application in vehicle technologies at the Department of Energy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

April 6 (legislative day, April 5), 2011CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Ms. STABENOW (for herself, Mr. LEVIN, and Mr. WYDEN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural ResourcesCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

A BILLCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To provide for a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application in vehicle technologies at the Department of Energy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the ‘Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2011’. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC (b) Table of Contents- The table of contents of this Act is as follows: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:

(1) According to the Energy Information Administration, the transportation sector accounts for approximately 28 percent of the United States primary energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions, and 24 percent of global oil demand.

(2) The United States transportation sector is over 95 percent dependent on petroleum, and over 60 percent of petroleum demand is met by imported supplies.

(3) United States heavy truck fuel consumption will increase 23 percent by 2030, while overall transportation energy use will decline by 1 percent.

(4) The domestic automotive and commercial vehicle manufacturing sectors have increasingly limited resources for research, development, and engineering of advanced technologies.

(5) Vehicle, engine, and component manufacturers are playing a more important role in vehicle technology development, and should be better integrated into Federal research efforts.

(6) Priorities for the Department of Energy’s vehicle technologies research have shifted drastically in recent years among diesel hybrids, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and plug-in electric hybrids, with little continuity among them.

(7) The integration of vehicle, communication, and infrastructure technologies has great potential for efficiency gains through better management of the total transportation system.

(8) The Federal Government should balance its role in researching longer-term exploratory concepts and developing nearer-term transformational technologies for vehicles.

SECObjectives. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink




Sec. 3. Definitions. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 4. Coordination and nonduplication. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. OBJECTIVES.

The objectives of this Act are to--(1)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to reform and reorient the vehicle technologies programs of the Department; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to establish a clear and consistent authority for vehicle technologies programs of the Department; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) to develop United States technologies and practices that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) improve the fuel efficiency and emissions of all vehicles produced in the United States; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) reduce vehicle reliance on petroleum-based fuels; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2)4) to support domestic research, development, engineering, demonstration, and commercial application and manufacturing of advanced vehicles, engines, and components; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3)5) to enable vehicles to move larger volumes of goods and more passengers with less energy and emissions; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4)6) to develop cost-effective advanced technologies for wide-scale utilization throughout the passenger, commercial, government, and transit vehicle sectors; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5)7) to allow for greater consumer choice of vehicle technologies and fuels; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6)8) to shorten technology development and integration cycles in the vehicle industry; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7)9) to ensure a proper balance and diversity of Federal investment in vehicle technologies; and(8) and among vehicle classes; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) to strengthen partnerships between Federal and State governmental agencies and the private and academic sectors. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 43. DEFINITIONS.

For the purposes ofIn this Act: CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) DEPARTMENT- The term ‘Department’ means the Department of Energy. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) SECRETARY- The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Energy. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for United States research, development, engineering, demonstration, and commercial application of vehicles and related technologies, including activities authorized under this Act, such sums as may4. COORDINATION AND NONDUPLICATION.

(a) Coordination- The Secretary shall ensure that activities authorized by this Act do not duplicate activities of other programs within the Department or other relevant agencies. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Cost-sharing Requirement- The activities carried out under this Act shall be necessary for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2016subject to the cost-sharing requirements of section 988 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352). CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--VEHICLE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 101. PROGRAM.

(a) Activities- The Secretary shall conduct a program of basic and applied research, development, engineering, demonstration, and commercial application activities on materials, technologies, and processes with the potential to substantially reduce or eliminate petroleum use and the emissions of the Nation’s passenger and commercial vehicles, including activities in the areas of-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) hybridization or full electrification of vehicle systems; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) batteries and other energy, ultracapacitors, and other energy storage devices; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) power electronics; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) vehicle, component, and subsystem manufacturing technologies and processes; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) engine efficiency and combustion optimization; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) waste heat recovery; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) transmission and drivetrains; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) hydrogen vehicle technologies, including fuel cells and internal combustion engines, and hydrogen infrastructure; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) compressed natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas vehicle technologies; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) aerodynamics, rolling resistance, and accessory power loads of vehicles and associated equipment; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) vehicle weight reduction, including lightweighting materials; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) friction and wear reduction; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(13) engine and component durability; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(14) innovative propulsion systems; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(15) advanced boosting systems; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(16) hydraulic hybrid technologies; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(17) engine compatibility with and optimization for a variety of transportation fuels including natural gas and other liquid and gaseous fuels; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(18) predictive engineering, modeling, and simulation of vehicle and transportation systems; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(19) refueling and charging infrastructure for alternative fueled and electric or plug-in electric hybrid vehicles, including the unique challenges facing rural areas; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(20) gaseous fuels storage systems and system integration and optimization; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(21) sensing, communications, and actuation technologies for vehicle, electrical grid, and infrastructure; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(22) efficient use, substitution, and recycling of potentially critical materials in vehicles, including rare earth elements and precious metals, at risk of supply disruption; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(23) aftertreatment technologies; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(24) thermal management of battery systems; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(25) retrofitting advanced vehicle technologies to existing vehicles; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(26) development of common standards, specifications, and architectures for both transportation and stationary battery applications; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(27) advanced internal combustion engines; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(28) other research areas as determined by the Secretary. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Transformational Technology- The Secretary shall ensure that the Department continues to support research, development, engineering, demonstration, and commercial application activities and maintains competency in mid- to long-term transformational vehicle technologies with potential to achieve deep reductions in petroleum use and emissions, including activities in the areas of-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) hydrogen vehicle technologies, including fuel cells, internal combustion engines, hydrogen storage, infrastructure, and activities in hydrogen technology validation and safety codes and standards; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) multiple battery chemistries and novel energy storage devices, including nonchemical batteries, ultracapacitors and electromechanical storage technologies such as hydraulics, flywheels, and compressed air storage; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) communication and connectivity, connectivity, and power flow among vehicles, infrastructure, and the electrical grid; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) other innovative technologies research and development, as determined by the Secretary. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Industry Participation- To the maximum extent practicable, activities under this Act shall be carried out in partnership or collaboration with automotive manufacturers, heavy commercial, vocational, and transit vehicle manufacturers, qualified plug-in electric vehicle manufacturers, compressed natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas vehicle manufacturers, vehicle and engine equipment and component manufacturers, manufacturing equipment manufacturers, advanced vehicle service providers, fuel producers and energy suppliers, electric utilities, universities, national laboratories, and independent research laboratories. In carrying out this Act the Secretary shall-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) determine whether a wide range of companies that manufacture or assemble vehicles or components in the United States are represented in ongoing public private partnership activities, including firms that have not traditionally participated in federally sponsored research and development activities, and where possible, partner with such firms that conduct significant and relevant research and development activities in the United States; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) leverage the capabilities and resources of, and formalize partnerships with, industry-led stakeholder organizations, nonprofit organizations, industry consortia, and trade associations with expertise in the research and development of, and education and outreach activities in, advanced automotive and commercial vehicle technologies; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) develop more efficient processes for transferring research findings and technologies to industry; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) give consideration to conversion of existing or former vehicle technology development or manufacturing facilities for the purposes of this Act; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) establish and support public-private partnerships, dedicated to overcoming barriers in commercial application of transformational vehicle technologies, that utilize such industry-led technology development facilities of entities with demonstrated expertise in successfully designing and engineering pre-commercial generations of such transformational technology; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) promote efforts to ensure that technology research, development, engineering, and commercial application activities funded under this Act are carried out in the United States. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Interagency and Intraagency Coordination- To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall coordinate research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities among-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) relevant programs within the Department, including-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the Office of Science; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) the Office of Fossil Energy; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) the Advanced Research Projects Agency--Energy; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) other offices as determined by the Secretary; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) relevant technology research and development programs within the Department of Transportation and other Federal agencies, as determined by the Secretary. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Coordination and Nonduplication- In coordinating activities the Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that activities do not duplicate those of other programs within the Department or other relevant research agencies.(f) Federal Demonstration of Technologies- The Secretary shall make information available to procurement programs of Federal agencies regarding the potential to demonstrate technologies resulting from activities funded through programs under this Act. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(gf) Intergovernmental Coordination- The Secretary shall seek opportunities to leverage resources and support initiatives of State and local governments in developing and promoting advanced vehicle technologies, manufacturing, and infrastructure. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(hg) Criteria- When awarding cost-shared grants under this program, the Secretary shall give priority to those technologies (either individually or as part of a system) that-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) provide the greatest aggregate fuel savings based on the reasonable projected sales volumes of the technology; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) provide the greatest increase in United States employment. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 102. SENSING AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES.

(a) In General- The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation and the relevant research programs of other Federal agencies, shall conduct research, development, engineering, and demonstration activities on connectivity of vehicle and transportation systems, including on sensing, computation, communication, and actuation technologies that allow for reduced fuel use, optimized traffic flow, and vehicle electrification, including technologies for-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) onboard vehicle, engine, and component sensing and actuation; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) vehicle-to-vehicle sensing and communication; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) vehicle-to-infrastructure sensing and communication; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) vehicle integration with the electrical grid, including communications to provide grid services. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Coordination- The activities carried out under this section shall supplement (and not supplant) activities under the intelligent transportation system research program of the Department of Transportation. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 103. MANUFACTURING.

The Secretary shall carry out a research, development, engineering, demonstration, and commercial application program of advanced vehicle manufacturing technologies and practices, including innovative processes to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) increase the production rate and decrease the cost of advanced battery manufacturing; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) vary the capability of individual manufacturing facilities to accommodate different battery chemistries and configurations; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) reduce waste streams, emissions, and energy-intensity of vehicle, engine, advanced battery and component manufacturing processes; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) recycle and remanufacture used batteries and other vehicle components for reuse in vehicles or stationary applications; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) produce cost-effective lightweight materials such as advanced metal alloys, polymeric composites, and carbon fiber; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) produce lightweight high pressure storage systems for gaseous fuels; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) design and manufacture purpose-built hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles and components; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) improve the calendar life and cycle life of advanced batteries; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) produce permanent magnets for advanced vehicles. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 104. USER TESTING FACILITIES.

Activities under this Act may include construction, expansion, or modification of new and existing vehicle, engine, and component research and testing facilities for--

(1) testing or simulating interoperability of a variety of vehicle components and systems;

(2) subjecting whole or partial vehicle platforms to fully representative duty cycles and operating conditions;

(3) developing and demonstrating a range of chemistries and configurations for advanced vehicle battery manufacturing; and

(4) developing and demonstrating test cycles for new and alternative fuels, and other advanced vehicle technologies.

SEC. 105. REPORTING.

(a) Technologies Developed- Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act and annually thereafter through 2017, the Secretary of Energy shall transmit to Congress a report regarding the technologies developed as a result of the activities authorized by this title, with a particular emphasis on whether the technologies were successfully adopted for commercial applications, and if so, whether products relying on those technologies are manufactured in the United States. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Additional Matters- At the end of each fiscal year through 2017 the Secretary shall submit to the relevant Congressional committees of jurisdiction an annual report describing activities undertaken in the previous year under this title, active industry participants, efforts to recruit new participants committed to design, engineering, and manufacturing of advanced vehicle technologies in the United States, progress of the program in meeting goals and timelines, and a strategic plan for funding of activities across agencies. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--MEDIUM AND HEAVY DUTY COMMERCIAL AND TRANSIT VEHICLES CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 201. PROGRAM.

(a) In General- The Secretary, in partnership with relevant research and development programs in other Federal agencies, and a range of appropriate industry stakeholders, shall carry out a program of cooperative research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities on advanced technologies for medium- to heavy-duty commercial, vocational, recreational, and transit vehicles, including activities in the areas of-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) engine efficiency and combustion research; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) onboard storage technologies for compressed natural gas and liquefied naturalpetroleum gas; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) development and integration of engine technologies designed for naturalcompressed natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas operation of a variety of vehicle platforms; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) waste heat recovery and conversion; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) improved aerodynamics and tire rolling resistance; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) energy and space-efficient emissions control systems; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) heavy hybrid, hybrid hydraulic, plug-in hybrid, and electric platforms, and energy storage technologies; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) drivetrain optimization; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) friction and wear reduction; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) engine idle and parasitic energy loss reduction; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) electrification of accessory loads; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(12) onboard sensing and communications technologies; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(13) advanced lightweighting materials and vehicle designs; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(14) increasing load capacity per vehicle; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(15) thermal management of battery systems; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(16) recharging infrastructure; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(17) compressed natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas infrastructure; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(18) advanced internal combustion engines; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(19) complete vehicle modeling and simulation; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(20) hydrogen vehicle technologies, including fuel cells and internal combustion engines, and hydrogen infrastructure; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(21) retrofitting advanced technologies onto existing truck fleets; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(22) integration of these and other advanced systems onto a single truck and trailer platform. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Leadership- The Secretary shall appoint a full-time Director to coordinate research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities in medium- to heavy-duty commercial, recreational, and transit vehicle technologies. Responsibilities of the Director shall be to-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) improve coordination and develop consensus between government agency and industry partners, and propose new processes for program management and priority setting to better align activities and budgets among partners; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) regularly convene workshops, site visits, demonstrations, conferences, investor forums, and other events in which information and research findings are shared among program participants and interested stakeholders; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) develop a budget for the Department’s activities with regard to the interagency program, and provide consultation and guidance on vehicle technology funding priorities across agencies; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) determine a process for reviewing program technical goals, targets, and timetables and, where applicable, aided by life-cycle impact and cost analysis, propose revisions or elimination based on program progress, available funding, and rate of technology adoption; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) evaluate ongoing activities of the program and recommend project modifications, including the termination of projects, where applicable; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) recruit new industry participants to the interagency program, including truck, trailer, and component manufacturers who have not traditionally participated in federally sponsored research and technology development activities; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) other responsibilities as determined by the Secretary, in consultation with interagency and industry partners. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Reporting- At the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress an annual report describing activities undertaken in the previous year, active industry participants, efforts to recruit new participants, progress of the program in meeting goals and timelines, and a strategic plan for funding of activities across agencies. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 202. CLASS 8 TRUCK AND TRAILER SYSTEMS DEMONSTRATION.

The Secretary shall conduct a competitive grant program to demonstrate the integration of multiple advanced technologies on Class 8 truck and trailer platforms with a goal of improving overall freight efficiency, as measured in tons and volume of freight hauled or other work performance-based metrics, by 50 percent, including a combination of technologies listed in section 201(a). Applicant teams may be comprised of truck and trailer manufacturers, engine and component manufacturers, fleet customers, university researchers, and other applicants as appropriate for the development and demonstration of integrated Class 8 truck and trailer systems. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 203. TECHNOLOGY TESTING AND METRICS.

The Secretary, in coordination with the partners of the interagency research program described in section 201(a)-- CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) shall develop standard testing procedures and technologies for evaluating the performance of advanced heavy vehicle technologies under a range of representative duty cycles and operating conditions, including for heavy hybrid propulsion systems; CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) shall evaluate heavy vehicle performance using work performance-based metrics other than those based on miles per gallon, including those based on units of volume and weight transported for freight applications, and appropriate metrics based on the work performed by nonroad systems; and CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) may construct heavy duty truck and bus testing facilities. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 204. NONROAD SYSTEMS PILOT PROGRAM.

The Secretary shall undertake a pilot program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial applications of technologies to improve total machine or system efficiency for nonroad mobile equipment including agricultural and construction equipment, and shall seek opportunities to transfer relevant research findings and technologies between the nonroad and on-highway equipment and vehicle sectors. CommentsClose CommentsPermalink