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Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73

§17241 Lightweight materials research and development

Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 152— - ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER V— - ACCELERATED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Part Part E— - Miscellaneous Provisions › § 17241

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of Energy must set up a program as soon as possible after December 19, 2007 to study how to make cars lighter to save fuel without reducing passenger safety. The work will test new materials and new ways to make, join, and recycle them so vehicles can be lighter yet still strong. The program focuses on lowering the cost of lightweight materials (like high‑strength steel, aluminum, magnesium, metal composites, and carbon fiber) and on cheaper processing and automated manufacturing for large‑scale use. Up to $80,000,000 is authorized for fiscal years 2008 through 2012.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §17241

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)As soon as practicable after December 19, 2007, the Secretary of Energy shall establish a program to determine ways in which the weight of motor vehicles could be reduced to improve fuel efficiency without compromising passenger safety by conducting research, development, and demonstration relating to—
(1)the development of new materials (including cast metal composite materials formed by autocombustion synthesis) and material processes that yield a higher strength-to-weight ratio or other properties that reduce vehicle weight; and
(2)reducing the cost of—
(A)lightweight materials (including high-strength steel alloys, aluminum, magnesium, metal composites, and carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites) with the properties required for construction of lighter-weight vehicles; and
(B)materials processing, automated manufacturing, joining, and recycling lightweight materials for high-volume applications.
(b)There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $80,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of Pub. L. 110–140, set out as a note under section 1824 of Title 2, The Congress.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 17241

Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73