Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles
Excerpted from Congressional Research Services Report RL33564
Updated July 30, 2007
Brent D. Yacobucci
Specialist in Energy Policy
Resources, Science, and Industry Division
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Alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles are seen by proponents as integral to improving urban air quality, decreasing dependence on foreign oil, and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. However, major barriers — especially economics — currently prevent the widespread use of these fuels and technologies. Because of these barriers, and the potential benefits, there is continued congressional interest in providing incentives and other support for their development and commercialization.
In the 110th Congress, alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles have received a good deal of attention, especially in discussions over U.S. energy security. In his January 24, 2007, State of the Union Address, President Bush called for the increased use of renewable and alternative motor fuels to 35 billion gallons annually by 2017. U.S. consumption was roughly five billion gallons in 2006. Therefore, such an initiative would mean a seven-fold increase in the use of these fuels over 11 years.
The Senate-passed energy bill, H.R. 6, would require an increase in renewable fuel consumption to 13.2 billion gallons in 2012 and 36 billion gallons in 2022. Further, by 2022, the bill would mandate the use of 21 billion gallons of “advanced biofuels,” defined as “fuel derived from renewable biomass other than corn starch.”
In the fall of 2005, hurricanes along the Gulf Coast led to disruptions in refining capacity and oil supply, which then led to higher gasoline and diesel prices. Since then, some Members of Congress have been seeking ways to reduce the vulnerability of the fuel system. High crude oil and gasoline prices in spring and summer 2006 further increased interest in moving away from a petroleum-based transportation
system.
The 109th Congress passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58, H.R. 6), which contains many provisions relevant to alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles. Among its provisions, the act expanded existing tax incentives for the purchase of advanced vehicles, authorized R&D funding for hydrogen fuel and fuel cells, and required that the nationwide gasoline supply contain a minimum amount of ethanol or other renewable fuel. H.R. 6 was signed by President Bush on August 8, 2005.
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[1] Transportation for America and Walkscore started an online petition to tell Congress to support walking, biking and transit in the 2009 Transportation Bill.
[2] Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center provides a listing of several pertinent documents relating to electricity and alternative fuels.
[3] On February 4, 2008, Green Car Congress posted an article concerning the proposed Department of Energy budget for 2009. It examines how much money will go to different areas such as vehicle technologies and nuclear energy.
[4] The Energy Policy Act of 2005 provided tax incentives for various types of energy production.
