I 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3246 
To provide for a program of research, development, demonstration, and 
commercial application in vehicle technologies at the Department of Energy. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 17, 2009 
Mr. PETERS (for himself and Mrs. BIGGERT) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Science and Technology 
A BILL 
To provide for a program of research, development, dem-
onstration, and commercial application in vehicle tech-
nologies at the Department of Energy. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Advanced Vehicle 
Technology Act of 2009’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) According to the Energy Information Ad-
ministration, the transportation sector accounts for 
approximately 28 percent of the United States pri-
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
23:48 Jul 17, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3246.IH
H3246
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
mary 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 trans-
portation energy use will decline by 1 percent. 
(4) The domestic automotive and commercial 
vehicle manufacturing sectors have increasingly lim-
ited resources for research and development of ad-
vanced technologies. 
(5) Vehicle, engine, and component manufactur-
ers are playing a more important role in vehicle 
technology development, and should be better inte-
grated 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 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
23:48 Jul 17, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3246.IH
H3246
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
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 tech-
nologies for vehicles. 
SEC. 3. OBJECTIVES. 
The objectives of this Act are to— 
(1) develop technologies and practices that— 
(A) improve the fuel efficiency and emis-
sions of all vehicles produced in the United 
States; and 
(B) reduce transportation sector reliance 
on petroleum-based fuels; 
(2) support domestic research and manufac-
turing of advanced vehicles, engines, and compo-
nents; 
(3) enable moving larger volumes of freight and 
more passengers with less energy and emissions; 
(4) allow for greater consumer choice of vehicle 
technologies and fuels; 
(5) shorten technology development and inte-
gration cycles in the vehicle industry; 
(6) ensure a proper balance and diversity of 
Federal investment in vehicle technologies; and 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
23:48 Jul 17, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3246.IH
H3246
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
(7) strengthen partnerships between Federal 
and State governmental agencies and the private 
and academic sectors. 
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. 
For the purposes of this Act: 
(1) DEPARTMENT.—The term ‘‘Department’’ 
means the Department of Energy. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Energy. 
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The following sums are author-
ized to be appropriated to the Secretary for research, de-
velopment, demonstration, and commercial application of 
vehicles and related technologies, including activities au-
thorized under this Act: 
(1) $550,000,000 for fiscal year 2010. 
(2) $560,000,000 for fiscal year 2011. 
(3) $570,000,000 for fiscal year 2012. 
(4) $580,000,000 for fiscal year 2013. 
(5) $590,000,000 for fiscal year 2014. 
(b) MEDIUM AND HEAVY DUTY COMMERCIAL VEHI-
CLES.—From the amounts authorized in under subsection 
(a), there are authorized to be appropriated for carrying 
out title II— 
(1) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
23:48 Jul 17, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3246.IH
H3246
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
(2) $210,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; 
(3) $220,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; 
(4) $230,000,000 for fiscal year 2013; and 
(5) $240,000,000 for fiscal year 2014. 
(c) USER FACILITIES.—From the amounts author-
ized in under subsection (a), there are authorized to be 
appropriated for carrying out section 104— 
(1) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; 
(2) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; 
(3) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; 
(4) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2013; and 
(5) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2014. 
(d) 
NON-ROAD
PILOT
PROGRAM.—From 
the 
amounts authorized in under subsection (a), there are au-
thorized to be appropriated for carrying out section 214— 
(1) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; 
(2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and 
(3) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2012. 
TITLE I—VEHICLE RESEARCH 
AND DEVELOPMENT 
SEC. 101. PROGRAM. 
(a) ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary shall conduct a pro-
gram of basic and applied research, development, dem-
onstration, and commercial application activities on mate-
rials, technologies, and processes with the potential to sub-
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
23:48 Jul 17, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3246.IH
H3246
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
stantially reduce or eliminate petroleum use and the re-
lated emissions of the Nation’s automotive and commercial 
vehicle sectors, including activities in the areas of— 
(1) hybridization or full electrification of vehicle 
systems; 
(2) batteries and other energy storage devices; 
(3) power electronics; 
(4) vehicle manufacturing technologies and 
processes; 
(5) engine efficiency and combustion optimiza-
tion; 
(6) waste heat recovery; 
(7) transmission and drivetrains; 
(8) hydrogen fuel cells and internal combustion 
engines, infrastructure, and related technologies; 
(9) aerodynamics, rolling resistance, and acces-
sory power loads of vehicles and associated equip-
ment; 
(10) vehicle weight reduction; 
(11) friction and wear reduction; 
(12) engine and component durability; 
(13) innovative propulsion systems; 
(14) engine compatibility with and optimization 
for nonpetroleum fuels; 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
23:48 Jul 17, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3246.IH
H3246
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
(15) modeling and simulation of vehicle and 
transportation systems; 
(16) refueling and charging infrastructure for 
alternative fueled and electric or plug-in electric hy-
brid vehicles; 
(17) sensing, communications, and actuation 
technologies for vehicle, electrical grid, and infra-
structure; 
(18) efficient use and recycling of rare earth 
materials, and reduction of precious metals and 
other high-cost materials in vehicles; 
(19) aftertreatment technologies; 
(20) thermal management of battery systems; 
(21) development of common standards, speci-
fications, and architectures for both transportation 
and stationary battery applications; 
(22) consumer education and outreach; and 
(23) other research areas as determined by the 
Secretary. 
(b) TRANSFORMATIONAL TECHNOLOGY.—The Sec-
retary shall ensure that the Department continues to sup-
port 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— 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
23:48 Jul 17, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3246.IH
H3246
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
(1) hydrogen fuel cells, internal combustion en-
gines, storage, infrastructure, and technology valida-
tion, and development of hydrogen safety codes and 
standards; 
(2) multiple battery chemistries and novel en-
ergy storage devices; 
(3) communication and connectivity among ve-
hicles, infrastructure, and the electrical grid; and 
(4) other innovative technologies research and 
development, as determined by the Secretary. 
(c) INDUSTRY PARTICIPATION.—To the maximum 
extent practicable, activities under this Act shall be carried 
out in partnership or collaboration with automotive manu-
facturers, heavy commercial and transit vehicle manufac-
turers, vehicle and engine equipment and component man-
ufacturers, manufacturing equipment manufacturers, ad-
vanced vehicle service providers, fuel producers and energy 
suppliers, electric utilities, universities, national labora-
tories, and independent research laboratories. In carrying 
out this Act the Secretary shall— 
(1) determine whether a wide range of domestic 
manufacturers and suppliers are represented in on-
going public-private partnership activities and, where 
possible, partner with firms that have not tradition-
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
23:48 Jul 17, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3246.IH
H3246
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
ally participated in federally-sponsored research and 
development activities; 
(2) leverage the capabilities and resources of, 
and formalize partnerships with, industry-led stake-
holder organizations, nonprofit organizations, indus-
try consortia, and trade associations with expertise 
in the research and development of, and education 
and outreach activities in, advanced automotive and 
commercial vehicle technologies; 
(3) streamline processes for transferring tech-
nologies and research findings to industry and con-
sumers; 
(4) give consideration to conversion of existing 
or former vehicle technology manufacturing facilities 
for the purposes of this Act; and 
(5) make every effort to ensure that tech-
nologies developed under this Act are produced in 
the United States. 
(d) INTERAGENCY
AND INTRAAGENCY COORDINA-
TION.—To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary 
shall coordinate research, development, demonstration, 
and commercial application activities among— 
(1) relevant programs within the Department, 
including— 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
23:48 Jul 17, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3246.IH
H3246
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
(A) the Office of Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy; 
(B) the Office of Science; 
(C) the Office of Electricity Delivery and 
Energy Reliability; 
(D) the Office of Fossil Energy; 
(E) the Advanced Research Projects Agen-
cy—Energy; and 
(F) other offices as determined by the Sec-
retary; and 
(2) relevant technology research and develop-
ment programs within other Federal agencies, as de-
termined by the Secretary or an officer of the Exec-
utive Office of the President. 
(e) 
FEDERAL
DEMONSTRATION
OF
TECH-
NOLOGIES.—The Secretary shall make information avail-
able to procurement programs of Federal agencies regard-
ing the potential to demonstrate technologies resulting 
from activities funded through programs under this Act. 
(f) 
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. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
23:48 Jul 17, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3246.IH
H3246
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
SEC. 
102. 
SENSING 
AND 
COMMUNICATIONS 
TECH-
NOLOGIES. 
The Secretary, in coordination with the relevant re-
search programs of other Federal agencies, shall conduct 
research, development, and demonstration activities on 
connectivity of vehicle and transportation systems, includ-
ing on sensing, computation, communication, and actu-
ation technologies that allow for reduced fuel use, opti-
mized traffic flow, improved freight logistics, and vehicle 
electrification, including technologies for— 
(1) onboard vehicle, engine, and component 
sensing and actuation; 
(2) vehicle-to-vehicle sensing and communica-
tion; 
(3) vehicle-to-infrastructure sensing and com-
munication; and 
(4) vehicle integration with the electrical grid. 
SEC. 103. MANUFACTURING. 
The Secretary shall carry out a research, develop-
ment, demonstration, and commercial application program 
of advanced vehicle manufacturing technologies and prac-
tices, including innovative processes to— 
(1) increase the production rate and decrease 
the cost of advanced battery manufacturing; 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
23:48 Jul 17, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3246.IH
H3246
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
(2) vary manufacturing facility capability to ac-
commodate different battery chemistries and con-
figurations; 
(3) reduce waste streams, emissions, and en-
ergy-intensity of vehicle, engine, and component 
manufacturing processes; 
(4) recycle and remanufacture used batteries 
and other vehicle components for reuse in vehicles or 
stationary applications; 
(5) produce cost-effective lightweight materials 
such as advanced metal alloys and carbon fiber; 
(6) design and manufacture purpose-built hy-
drogen and fuel cell vehicles and components; and 
(7) produce permanent magnets for advanced 
vehicles. 
SEC. 104. USER FACILITIES. 
Activities under this Act may include construction, 
expansion, or modification of new and existing vehicle, en-
gine, and component research and testing facilities for— 
(1) testing or simulating interoperability of a 
variety of vehicle components; 
(2) subjecting whole or partial vehicle platforms 
to fully representative duty cycles and operating con-
ditions; 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
23:48 Jul 17, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3246.IH
H3246
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
(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 alternate fuels, and other advanced vehicle 
technologies. 
TITLE II—MEDIUM AND HEAVY 
DUTY COMMERCIAL VEHICLES 
SEC. 201. PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in partnership 
with relevant research and development programs in other 
Federal agencies, and diverse industrial stakeholders, shall 
carry out a program of cooperative research, development, 
demonstration, and commercial application activities on 
advanced technologies for medium- to heavy-duty commer-
cial and transit vehicles, including activities in the areas 
of— 
(1) engine efficiency and combustion research; 
(2) waste heat recovery and conversion; 
(3) improved aerodynamics and tire rolling re-
sistance; 
(4) energy and space-efficient emissions control 
systems; 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
23:48 Jul 17, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3246.IH
H3246
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
(5) heavy hybrid, hybrid hydraulic, plug-in hy-
brid, and electric platforms, and energy storage 
technologies; 
(6) drivetrain optimization; 
(7) friction and wear reduction; 
(8) engine idle and parasitic energy loss reduc-
tion; 
(9) electrification of accessory loads; 
(10) onboard sensing and communications tech-
nologies; 
(11) advanced lightweight materials and vehicle 
designs; 
(12) increasing freight capacity per vehicle; 
(13) thermal management of battery systems; 
(14) recharging infrastructure; 
(15) complete vehicle modeling and simulation; 
(16) vehicle and driver management systems; 
(17) retrofitting advanced technologies onto ex-
isting truck fleets; and 
(18) integration of these and other advanced 
systems onto a single truck and trailer platform. 
(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 and transit vehicle 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
23:48 Jul 17, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3246.IH
H3246
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
technologies. Responsibilities of the Director, reporting to 
the Program Manager for Vehicle Technologies, include— 
(1) improving coordination and developing con-
sensus between government agency and industry 
partners, and proposing new processes for program 
management and priority setting to better align ac-
tivities and budgets among partners; 
(2) frequent convening of workshops, site visits, 
demonstrations, conferences, investor forums, and 
other events in which information and research find-
ings are shared among program participants and in-
terested stakeholders; 
(3) developing a budget for the Department’s 
activities with regard to the interagency program, 
and providing consultation and guidance on vehicle 
technology funding priorities across agencies; 
(4) determining a process for reviewing pro-
gram technical goals, targets, and timetables and, 
where applicable, aided by life-cycle impact and cost 
analysis, proposing revisions in light of program 
progress, available funding, and rate of technology 
adoption; 
(5) evaluating ongoing activities of the program 
and recommending project modifications, including 
the termination of projects, where applicable; and 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
23:48 Jul 17, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3246.IH
H3246
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
(6) recruiting 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. 
(c) REPORTING.—At the end of each fiscal year the 
partnership shall submit to the Secretary and relevant 
Congressional committees of jurisdiction an annual report 
describing activities undertaken in the previous year, ac-
tive industry participants, efforts to recruit new partici-
pants, progress of the program in meeting goals and 
timelines, and a strategic plan for funding of activities 
across agencies. 
SEC. 202. CLASS 8 TRUCK DEMONSTRATION. 
The Secretary shall conduct a competitive grant pro-
gram to demonstrate the integration of multiple advanced 
technologies on long-haul Class 8 truck and trailer plat-
forms with a goal of improving overall freight efficiency, 
as measured in ton-miles per gallon, by 50 percent, includ-
ing 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 appli-
cants as appropriate for the development and demonstra-
tion of integrated Class 8 truck and trailer systems. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
23:48 Jul 17, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3246.IH
H3246
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS
SEC. 203. TECHNOLOGY TESTING AND METRICS. 
The Secretary, in coordination with the partners of 
the interagency research program described in section 
201(a)— 
(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; 
(2) may evaluate heavy vehicle performance 
using metrics other than those based on miles per 
gallon, including those based on units of volume or 
weight transported for freight applications, and ap-
propriate metrics based on the work performed by 
nonroad systems; and 
(3) may construct heavy duty truck and bus 
testing facilities. 
SEC. 204. NONROAD SYSTEMS PILOT PROGRAM. 
The Secretary is authorized to undertake a pilot pro-
gram of research, development, demonstration, and com-
mercial applications of technologies to improve total ma-
chine or system efficiency for heavy duty nonroad equip-
ment, and shall seek opportunities to transfer relevant re-
search findings and technologies between the nonroad and 
on-highway equipment and vehicle sectors. 
Æ 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
23:48 Jul 17, 2009
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H3246.IH
H3246
jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with BILLS