Dingell, Stevens Introduce Legislation to Help America Compete, Lower Vehicle Costs, and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Press Release

Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and Haley Stevens (MI-11) announced the introduction of the Shifting Forward Vehicle Technologies Research and Development Act. This legislation makes significant investments in transformational mobility technologies R&D to reduce the climate footprint of both on and off-road transportation and ensure America competes in the global transition to EVs, while increasing domestic production and decreasing the cost of vehicles, advanced batteries, and hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing.

"Innovation is a core strength of the United States--and robust investments in R&D makes this possible," said Rep. Dingell. "If America and our domestic automotive industry is to remain a global leader in vehicle technologies and future mobility, we must continue to empower our greatest minds, our greatest companies, and our greatest workforce to collaborate and develop the advanced manufacturing processes and vehicles of the future while combating the climate crisis and ensuring affordability for consumers. I am proud to partner on this important legislation to keep Michigan and our nation at the forefront of vehicle innovation."

"The future of America's auto industry and Michigan's economy depends on our nation's ability to compete in the global transition to clean transportation," said Rep. Stevens. "The Shifting Forward Vehicle Technologies Research and Development Act helps our nation rise to this occasion by investing in new mobility technology R&D to address challenges across the vehicle supply chain, train our future workforce, and charter groundbreaking discoveries here in America. I am thrilled to introduce this legislation that positions Michigan at the center of unlocking solutions that ultimately lead us all to a safer, more affordable, and cleaner mobility future."

"We applaud Congresswoman Haley Stevens and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell for introducing this important legislation to bolster research, development and security of advanced vehicle technologies," said former Governor Matt Blunt, president of the American Automotive Policy Council. "This legislation provides another important tool for the United States as it looks to harness the power of advanced vehicle technologies to help ensure the materials American Automakers need are more available domestically."

"The rise of electric vehicles and other forms of clean transportation provides us with the opportunity to make the U.S. a global leader in clean transportation innovation and manufacturing--but only if we seize this moment and ensure that the transportation technologies and fuels of tomorrow are made here in America. The Shifting Forward Vehicle Technologies Research and Development Act will do just that, providing critical federal funding to help us unlock new vehicle technologies, train up the next generation of scientists and engineers, and ultimately decarbonize every mode of transportation," said Ryan Fitzpatrick, Director of the Climate and Energy Program at Third Way. "Third Way applauds Congresswoman Stevens for her leadership on reducing transportation's climate impacts and we look forward to continuing to work with her to put American workers, universities, and manufacturers front and center of the new clean economy."

"Auto Innovators thanks Rep. Stevens for introducing the Shifting Forward Vehicle Technologies Research and Development Act and her commitment to American innovation," said John Bozzella, president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. "This is a smart strategy to leverage government R&D resources to develop the transformative transportation, infrastructure and fuel innovations that will help define next-generation mobility."

The Shifting Forward Vehicle Technologies Research and Development Act reauthorizes the advanced vehicle technologies program for R&D at the Department of Energy (DOE) for vehicle fueling, energy storage, and workforce development. The bill focuses on comprehensive R&D challenges across the mobility supply chain -- including a non-road transportation program focused on overcoming barriers to transformational technologies for aviation, rail, and maritime applications. In addition, the bill creates a DOE grant program to establish the Graduate Automotive Technology Education Centers of Excellence to provide future generations of engineers and scientists with the resources needed to thrive. 

It is endorsed by the American Automotive Policy Council, Third Way, American Trucking Association, NC Clean Energy Technology Center, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation.

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