Building Better Trucks Act

To amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to add certain medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles to the advanced technology vehicles manufacturing incentive program. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Building Better Trucks Act 2. Advanced technology vehicles manufacturing incentive program Section 136 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ( 42 U.S.C. 17013 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively, and indenting appropriately; (ii) by striking (1) Advanced technology vehicle meets— (1) Advanced technology vehicle The term advanced technology vehicle (A) an ultra efficient vehicle; (B) a light duty vehicle that meets— ; (iii) in subparagraph (B)(iii) (as so redesignated), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or (iv) by adding at the end the following: (C) a medium-duty or heavy-duty vehicle that— (i) (I) is subject to regulations established by the Secretary of Transportation under parts 523, 534, and 535 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); or (II) is included in a vehicle type or class that offers opportunities to substantially reduce consumption of conventional motor fuel, as determined by the Secretary by rule; and (ii) reduces consumption of conventional motor fuel by 10 percent or greater as compared to model year 2010 medium- and heavy-duty vehicles of a similar vehicle type or class, unless the Secretary determines by rule that— (I) the percentage is not achievable for a specific vehicle type or class; and (II) an alternative percentage for that vehicle type or class will result in substantial reductions in motor fuel consumption within the United States. ; and (B) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following: (4) Qualifying components The term qualifying components (A) to be designed to improve fuel economy or otherwise substantially reduce consumption of conventional motor fuel; or (B) to contribute measurably to the overall improved fuel use of an advanced technology vehicle. ; (2) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting or other vehicle ultra efficient vehicle (3) by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following: (f) Fees (1) In general The Secretary shall charge a closing fee of 50 basis points of the loan to cover applicable administrative expenses. (2) Use of fees Fees collected under paragraph (1) shall— (A) be deposited by the Secretary into the general fund of the Treasury; and (B) remain available until expended, subject to such other conditions as are contained in annual appropriations Acts. ; and (4) in subsection (h)(1)(B), by striking automobiles, or components of automobiles automobiles or other vehicles, or components of automobiles or other vehicles

Summary: Building Better Trucks Act This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to revise the advanced technology vehicle manufacturing incentive program, which provides loans to support the production of fuel-efficient, advanced technology vehicles and qualifying components in the United States. The program is expanded by allowing manufacturers of certain fuel-efficient, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (trucks) to qualify for loans. The amount charged as the fee to cover administrative costs is revised.