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Congress eyes trucking technology

Trucking groups have praised legislation that would allow a maximum tax credit of $3,000 for buying idling reduction units, while another bill is moving through Congress that would authorize $590 million in research on medium to heavy-duty truck technologies.

The American Trucking Associations and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association supported the Idling Reduction Tax Credit Act of 2009, or HR 3383. The bill, which has one co-sponsor, was referred to the ways and means committee July 29.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) introduced the legislation that would offer a 50 percent tax credit, capped at $3,000 for truckers buying devices such as auxiliary power units.

Another bill, the “Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009,” or HR 3246, would authorize federal research on medium to heavy-duty truck technologies. Rep. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) sponsored the bill, which was sent to committee July 29.

The legislation would back investments in technologies that improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, support domestic research and manufacturing, and lead to greater consumer choice of vehicle technologies and fuels.

The act would allocate $550 million for fiscal year 2010, and increases that amount by $10 million per year through 2014.

The research and development component of this bill will focus on batteries and storage devices, hybridization and electrification, hydrogen fuel cells, engine systems and components, and communications for vehicle and electric grid infrastructures.

It supports research and development of advanced vehicle manufacturing technologies, and provides support for construction and modification of new vehicle, engine and component research and testing facilities.

The other section of the bill establishes a research program for advanced technologies for medium to heavy-duty commercial trucks and transit vehicles.

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