By Mike Kastner, NTEA Managing Director
This article was published in the July 2017 edition of NTEA News.
Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) reintroduced the Vehicle
Innovation Act (VIA), S.1225, with original co-sponsors Senators Debbie
Stabenow (D-MI), Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Rob Portman (R-OH). This
legislation, supported by NTEA, would provide approximately $1.7 billion over
the next five years for research into advanced vehicle fuel efficiency
technologies. Much of the funding would be directed at vocational trucks.
VIA continues to generate strong bipartisan support. At
different times, the House and Senate passed versions of this legislation.
“Michigan and the United States are leading the way in
developing innovative technologies that will make the next generation of cars
and trucks safer and more efficient than ever before,” said Senator Peters.
“This bipartisan bill will help ensure that American manufacturers remain
internationally competitive by encouraging the development of cutting-edge
clean vehicle technologies that improve fuel efficiency, save consumers money
and help support American jobs.”
NTEA has worked with Senator Peters on this legislation
since he served as a representative in the U.S. House. He has been a long-time
advocate for the work truck industry in the House and Senate. The funding boost
this bill would provide to the Department of Energy (DOE) comes at a critical
time as many government agency programs are expecting significant budget cuts.
VIA strengthens DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office, which
promotes public-private partnerships to conduct technology-neutral research and
development on a diverse range of new innovations to improve fuel efficiency in
light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The bill will support domestic
research and development, grow the U.S. advanced manufacturing industry and
reduce the nation’s dependence on imported oil. This sort of funding is
particularly important now as DOE budget proposals begin to call for research
rather than development and deployment.
The legislation also authorizes resources for the Vehicle
Technologies Office to encourage research — including $313.6 million in funding
for fiscal year 2018, and a 4-percent increase each year after through 2022 — to
ensure steady funding to help manufacturers keep pace with emerging advanced
technologies that have the potential to reduce fuel costs in the national
vehicle fleet.
Industry backing
VIA is supported by Motor and Equipment Manufacturers
Association, Auto Alliance, UAW, BlueGreen Alliance and NTEA.
“The Auto Alliance applauds Senators Peters, Alexander and
Stabenow for the reintroduction of the Vehicle Innovation Act,” said Mitch
Bainwol, Auto Alliance president and CEO. “Automakers are focused on the
deployment of advanced technology and alternative fuel vehicles to help address
our nation’s energy security and environmental concerns. The next generation of
fuel-efficient technologies requires significant investments in research,
design, development, testing and certification as they are developed and
refined for use on the various types of vehicles needed by American consumers.
This legislation will help ensure that our industry partners throughout the
vast automotive supply chain are supported in the research on and development
of these advanced technologies.”
“NTEA commends Senators Peters, Alexander and Stabenow’s
commitment to the motor vehicle industry. Vocational truck users are at the
forefront of integrating advanced technologies and alternative fuels but the
future will require greater advances,” said Steve Carey, NTEA executive
director. “This legislation will help industry partner with government to
accomplish the goals of a cleaner and more efficient work truck industry.”
NTEA will monitor the progress of this legislation and keep
members informed of any updates. Visit ntea.com/advocacy for the latest
legislative and regulatory news.