Congressman Rick Larsen's Online Office

Washington, D.C. — Today U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted to increase investments into the Department of Energy’s (DoE) Vehicle Technologies Program, accelerating the development of the next generation of fuel-efficient cars and trucks.  Western Washington University’s Advance Vehicle Research Institute has previously used funding from DoE to develop innovative, clean transportation technologies. The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act (H.R. 3246), passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 312 to 114.

“We need to develop new transportation technologies to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and reduce harmful pollution” said Larsen.  “This legislation will support cutting edge research at Western Washington University and around the country so we can build the next generation of fuel-efficient cars and trucks right here in the United States.”

"We are excited about the potential for HR 3246 to improve fuel efficiency and reduce fuel consumption of our nation's vehicle fleet,” said Eric Leonhardt, Director of Western Washington University’s Advance Vehicle Research Institute.  “We hope that some of the funding will be available for Western Washington University's Vehicle Research Institute to develop lightweight material, manufacturing processes, and powertrains to create 100 mile per gallon passenger vehicles.  We will use these projects to continue to educate undergraduate students in how to design, engineer and build these ultra-efficient vehicles."

The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act will support new investments in vehicle technology by:

Authorizing over $2.5 billion for the Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Program over the next five years
Directing specific funding levels for heavy duty vehicles and passenger vehicles to ensure that we are investing in all forms of transportation vehicles
Promoting partnerships with automobile manufacturers and research institutions
Establishing a new pilot program to increase the efficiency of non-traditional vehicles, such as off-road vehicles and agricultural vehicles.

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