Peters, Stabenow Announce Reintroduction of Bipartisan Vehicle Innovation Act

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) announced the reintroduction of a bipartisan bill to strengthen research and development of clean vehicle and advanced safety technologies. The Vehicle Innovation Act, which Peters and Stabenow reintroduced with Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), would bolster investment in fuel efficient cars and trucks to lessen our dependency on foreign oil, reduce carbon emissions, and reinforce America’s leadership developing these critical technologies that will guide the future of mobility. Peters and Stabenow previously introduced similar legislation.

“Michigan is home to the greatest workers in the world who are leading the way in mobility innovation,” said Senator Peters, member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. “To ensure we remain on the forefront, this bipartisan bill would strengthen investments in the next generation of vehicles that will be more efficient and safer than ever before. Together, we can lower costs for consumers, combat the climate crisis, and create good-paying jobs in Michigan.”

“Michigan’s auto workers are the best in the world,” said Senator Stabenow. “Our bipartisan bill will help our manufacturers innovate and develop new products, which will create jobs and give consumers more choice.”

“America—and my home state of Tennessee—are at the forefront of innovative research and development of vehicle technologies devoted to safety and efficiency,” said Senator Hagerty. “I am pleased to again co-sponsor bipartisan legislation that will advance our Nation’s goals of returning to energy independence, bolstering fuel efficiency, and ensuring America remains a leader in pioneering the vehicle technologies of tomorrow.”

The Vehicle Innovation Act would strengthen the authority of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office to promote partnerships between the public and private sector to improve vehicle fuel efficiency through research and development. The bill would also authorize critical resources for the Vehicle Technologies Office to encourage research to ensure steady funding is available to help manufacturers keep pace with emerging advanced technologies that have the potential to reduce fuel costs in the national vehicle fleet.

Examples of potential fuel-saving technologies include vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) communications, mild hybrid, engine down speeding, power pack modeling and testing, advanced boosting systems, new vehicle sensing and communication, hydrogen and natural gas refueling and electric vehicle charging technology.

“Auto Innovators thanks Senators Gary Peters, Debbie Stabenow, and Bill Hagerty for their leadership in reintroducing the Vehicle Innovation Act,” said John Bozzella, President & CEO, Alliance for Automotive Innovation. “Automakers are committed to a cleaner, safer, smarter transportation future, including significant investments in vehicle electrification and advanced safety technologies. This bipartisan legislation will support critical research and development needed to meet those goals while ensuring that the United States remains the leader in automotive innovation.” 

“MEMA is committed to the goal of a net-zero carbon transportation future. To reach that goal, suppliers, vehicle manufacturers, and the federal government must work together. The Vehicle Innovation Act is an important piece of that collaborative effort,” said Ann Wilson, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association. “This legislation leverages investments through public-private partnerships and focuses on domestic research and development activities. These activities are a necessary component to achieve this goal. We applaud Senators Peters and Hagerty for working to make this goal a reality by introducing this legislation.” 

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