S. 679

Heavy Duty Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2009

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II

Calendar No. 621

111th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 679

[Report No. 111–334]

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 24, 2009

Ms. Collins (for herself, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr. Kohl) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

September 28, 2010

Reported by Mr. Bingaman, without amendment

A BILL

To establish a research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program to promote research of appropriate technologies for heavy duty plug-in hybrid vehicles, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Heavy Duty Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2009.

2.

Advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicle technology research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicle

The term advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicle means a vehicle with a gross weight between 14,000 pounds and 33,000 pounds that is fueled, in part, by a rechargeable energy storage system.

(2)

Greenhouse gas

The term greenhouse gas means—

(A)

carbon dioxide;

(B)

methane;

(C)

nitrous oxide;

(D)

hydrofluorocarbons;

(E)

perfluorocarbons; or

(F)

sulfur hexafluoride.

(3)

Plug-in hybrid vehicle

The term plug-in hybrid means a vehicle fueled, in part, by electrical power that can be recharged by connecting the vehicle to an electric power source.

(4)

Program

The term program means the competitive research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program established under this section.

(5)

Retrofit

The term retrofit means the process of creating an advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicle by converting an existing, fuel-powered vehicle.

(6)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Energy.

(b)

Establishment

The Secretary shall establish a competitive research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program under which the Secretary shall provide grants to applicants to carry out projects to advance research and development, and to demonstrate technologies, for advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles.

(c)

Applications

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall issue requirements for applying for grants under the program.

(2)

Selection criteria

(A)

In general

The Secretary shall establish selection criteria for awarding grants under the program.

(B)

Factors

In evaluating applications, the Secretary shall—

(i)

consider the ability of applicants to successfully complete both phases described in subsection (d); and

(ii)

give priority to applicants who are best able to—

(I)

fill existing research gaps and achieve the greatest advances beyond the state of current technology; and

(II)

achieve the greatest reduction in fuel consumption and emissions.

(3)

Partners

An applicant for a grant under this section may carry out a project in partnership with other entities.

(4)

Schedule

(A)

Application request

(i)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register, and elsewhere as appropriate, a request for applications to undertake projects under the program.

(ii)

Application deadline

The applications shall be due not later than 90 days after the date of the publication.

(B)

Application selection

Not later than 90 days after the date on which applications for grants under the program are due, the Secretary shall select, through a competitive process, all applicants to be awarded a grant under the program.

(5)

Number of grants

(A)

In general

The Secretary shall determine the number of grants to be awarded under the program based on the technical merits of the applications received.

(B)

Minimum and maximum number

The number of grants awarded under the program shall be not less than 3 and not more than 7 grants.

(C)

Plug-in hybrid vehicle technology

At least half of the grants awarded under this section shall be for plug-in hybrid technology.

(6)

Award amounts

The Secretary shall award not more than $3,000,000 to a recipient per year for each of the 3 years of the project.

(d)

Program requirements; 2 phases

(1)

In general

As a condition of the receipt of a grant under this section, each grant recipient shall be required to complete 2 phases in accordance with this subsection.

(2)

Phase 1

(A)

In general

In phase 1, the recipient shall conduct research and demonstrate advanced hybrid technology by producing or retrofitting 1 or more advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles.

(B)

Report

Not later than 60 days after the completion of phase 1, the recipient shall submit to the Secretary a report containing data and analysis of—

(i)

the performance of each vehicle in carrying out the testing procedures developed by the Secretary under subparagraph (E);

(ii)

the performance during the testing of the components of each vehicle, including the battery, energy management system, charging system, and power controls;

(iii)

the projected cost of each vehicle, including acquisition, operating, and maintenance costs; and

(iv)

the emission levels of each vehicle, including greenhouse gas levels.

(C)

Termination

The Secretary may terminate the grant program with respect to the project of a recipient at the conclusion of phase 1 if the Secretary determines that the recipient cannot successfully complete the requirements of phase 2.

(D)

Timing

Phase 1 shall—

(i)

begin on the date of receipt of a grant under the program; and

(ii)

have a duration of 1 year.

(E)

Testing procedures

(i)

In general

The Secretary shall develop standard testing procedures to be used by recipients in testing each vehicle.

(ii)

Vehicle performance

The procedures shall include testing the performance of a vehicle under typical operating conditions.

(3)

Phase 2

(A)

In general

In phase 2, the recipient shall demonstrate advanced manufacturing processes and technologies by producing or retrofitting 50 advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles.

(B)

Report

Not later than 60 days after the completion of phase 2, the recipient shall submit to the Secretary a report containing—

(i)

an analysis of the technological challenges encountered by the recipient in the development of the vehicles;

(ii)

an analysis of the technological challenges involved in mass producing the vehicles; and

(iii)

the manufacturing cost of each vehicle, the estimated sale price of each vehicle, and the cost of a comparable non-hybrid vehicle.

(C)

Timing

Phase 2 shall—

(i)

begin on the conclusion of phase 1; and

(ii)

have a duration of 2 years.

(e)

Research on vehicle usage and alternative drive trains

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall conduct research into alternative power train designs for use in advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles.

(2)

Comparison

The research shall compare the estimated cost (including operating and maintenance costs, the cost of emission reductions, and fuel savings) of each design with similar nonhybrid power train designs under the conditions in which those vehicles are typically used, including (for each vehicle type)—

(A)

the number of miles driven;

(B)

time spent with the engine at idle;

(C)

horsepower requirements;

(D)

the length of time the maximum or near maximum power output of the vehicle is needed; and

(E)

any other factors that the Secretary considers appropriate.

(f)

Report to Congress

Not later than 60 days after the date the Secretary receives the reports from grant recipients under subsection (d)(3)(B), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing—

(1)

an identification of the grant recipients and the projects funded;

(2)

an identification of all applicants who submitted applications for the program;

(3)

all data contained in reports submitted by grant recipients under subsection (d);

(4)

a description of the vehicles produced or retrofitted by recipients in phases 1 and 2 of the program, including an analysis of the fuel efficiency of the vehicles; and

(5)

the results of the research carried out under subsections (e) and (i).

(g)

Coordination and nonduplication

To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall coordinate, and not duplicate, activities under this section with other programs and laboratories of the Department of Energy and other Federal research programs.

(h)

Cost-sharing

Section 988 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352) shall apply to the program.

(i)

Electrical grid research pilot program

The Secretary, acting through the National Laboratories and Technology Centers of the Department of Energy, shall establish a pilot program to research and test the effects on the domestic electric power grid of the widespread use of plug-in hybrid vehicles, including plug-in hybrid vehicles that are advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles.

(j)

Authorization of appropriations

(1)

In general

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $16,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2012.

(2)

Limitations

Of the funds authorized under paragraph (1), not more than $1,000,000 of the amount made available for a fiscal year may be used—

(A)

to carry out the research required under subsection (e);

(B)

to carry out the pilot program required under subsection (i); and

(C)

to administer the program.

3.

Expanding research in hybrid technology for large vehicles

Subsection (g)(1) of the United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17231(g)(1)) is amended by inserting vehicles with a gross weight over 16,000 pounds, before stationary applications,.

September 28, 2010

Reported without amendment