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119-hr-8609119th CongressWALLET

Vehicle Innovation Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a unified Department of Energy (DOE) vehicle technology program that would fund research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of advanced vehicle technologies and related infrastructure to cut fuel use and emissions and boost U.S. manufacturing.

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  • Families and consumers would see expanded choices in vehicle technologies and fuels and stronger support for fueling and electric vehicle charging infrastructure that aim to lower emissions and fuel use.
  • U.S. manufacturers, suppliers, universities, and national labs would get prioritized partnerships and funding to scale advanced battery and fuel cell production, recycle and remanufacture components, and develop lightweight materials. The bill authorizes annual appropriations rising from $313.6 million in FY2027 to $366.8 million in FY2031 for these activities.
  • Freight, transit, and nonroad equipment would be targeted with dedicated programs for medium and heavy trucks, Class 8 integrated demonstrations, standardized testing and metrics, and a pilot for nonroad efficiency technologies to speed deployment and measure real-world gains.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New DOE vehicle R&D funding

If enacted, the bill would create a single DOE vehicle technology program to coordinate research through commercialization. It would authorize federal funding for FY2027–FY2031: $313.6 million in FY2027, $326.1 million in FY2028, $339.2 million in FY2029, $352.7 million in FY2030, and $366.8 million in FY2031. The Department would be required to coordinate across DOE and other agencies, partner with industry and labs, and promote that funded activities are carried out in the United States. The bill would also repeal four named sections of the 2005 Energy Policy Act and require reports to Congress starting 18 months after enactment and annually through 2031.

Class 8 truck demonstration grants

If enacted, the bill would require DOE to run competitive grants to demonstrate integrated advanced technologies on Class 8 truck and trailer platforms. Eligible teams could include truck and trailer manufacturers, engine and component makers, fleet customers, university researchers, and related partners. In awarding grants, DOE would give priority to projects that provide the greatest aggregate fuel savings (using reasonable projected sales) and that provide the greatest increase in U.S. employment.

Used vehicle battery reuse program

If enacted, the bill would establish an R&D and demonstration program on secondary uses and recycling of vehicle batteries. DOE would submit an initial report to Congress within 1 year, publish demonstration guidelines within 18 months, and select pilot demonstrations within 21 months. The program would test long-term battery performance, evaluate recycling approaches, assess market barriers, and identify promising reuse markets such as stationary storage and grid services.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

MI • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 4/30/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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