Schiff Amendment to Expand Domestic Fuel-Efficient Car Technology Adopted by Appropriations Committee

Schiff Amendment to Expand Domestic Fuel-Efficient Car Technology Adopted by Appropriations Committee

WASHINGTON, DC – Late last night, the House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment offered by Rep. Adam Schiff that will expand production of domestic fuel-efficient vehicles.  The amendment expands the type of cars that would be eligible for the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program, so that new companies and designs can compete on an even playing field with more traditional automakers.

“We need to think outside the box when developing new fuel-efficient vehicles, and that is exactly what some new car designers and manufactures are doing,” said Schiff.  “Obsolete bureaucratic definitions should not create roadblocks and stifle innovation.  This amendment clears the way for domestic manufactures to find new innovative solutions for fuel-efficient cars to be produced here at home.”

Innovative companies around the country, including one incubated at Pasadena's Idealab, are ready to produce highly efficient three-wheeled vehicles.  However, advanced car designs that only have three wheels are not eligible for the DOE program, because of an antiquated definition used by the program to define cars that are eligible. Rep. Schiff’s amendment modifies the program to include new innovative vehicles that maximize aerodynamics.

Earlier this year, Rep. Schiff cosponsored similar legislation introduced by Congressman Brian Bilbray. The amendment makes fully-enclosed vehicles that are capable of carrying two adults and get at least 75 miles per gallon eligible for the DOE’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentives Program.  The program provides loans to car manufacturers for up to 30 percent of the cost of reequipping, expanding or establishing manufacturing facilities in the U.S. for advanced technology vehicles or components, or for engineering integration preformed in the U.S.

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