Vehicle Innovation Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a consolidated vehicle technology program at the Department of Energy to speed U.S. development and deployment of technologies that cut petroleum use and vehicle emissions. It focuses on domestic R&D and manufacturing, public‑private partnerships, and demonstrations across passenger, commercial, and transit vehicle sectors.
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- Families and fleets gain access to more low‑emission and lower‑fuel vehicles and retrofits, with programs aimed at passenger cars, commercial trucks, transit vehicles, and Class 8 truck demonstrations.
- Manufacturers and workers would get funding and technical support to scale U.S. battery, fuel cell, lightweight materials, and powertrain production and to expand battery recycling and secondary‑use markets.
- DOE, national labs, universities, and industry face tighter coordination rules, required annual reports through 2031, and specified annual authorizations totaling about $1.7 billion for FY2027–2031 across vehicle R&D, demonstration, and commercialization programs.
*This bill would authorize roughly $1.7 billion in appropriations for FY2027–2031, increasing federal spending.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New DOE vehicle program and funding
If enacted, the bill would create a consolidated DOE vehicle technology program to speed vehicle R&D, demonstration, and commercial application. It would require DOE to coordinate across its offices and with other agencies and states. The bill would authorize funds for FY2027–FY2031: $313.6 million (FY2027); $326.1 million (FY2028); $339.2 million (FY2029); $352.7 million (FY2030); and $366.8 million (FY2031). DOE would also report to Congress on technologies developed and commercial adoption not later than 18 months after enactment and annually through 2031.
More research and demos for big vehicles
If enacted, the bill would fund cooperative R&D and demonstrations for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, buses, and nonroad machines. It would support Class 8 truck and trailer integrated demonstrations, pilot projects for farm and construction equipment, and new heavy-vehicle testing that measures real work like weight and volume moved. The goal is to improve efficiency, retrofits, and infrastructure for fleets and equipment owners.
Program to reuse and recycle batteries
If enacted, the bill would create an R&D and demonstration program to find secondary uses for vehicle batteries, test long-term performance, and study recycling and materials recovery. DOE would report to Congress within 1 year, publish guidelines within 18 months, and pick pilot demonstration projects within 21 months after enactment.
Support for vehicle manufacturing
If enacted, the bill would start a DOE program to improve advanced vehicle manufacturing. The work would target cheaper, faster battery and fuel cell production, multi-chemistry factory flexibility, recycling and remanufacturing, lightweight materials, and permanent magnets. The program would aim to lower production costs and support U.S. jobs in vehicle supply chains.
Repeal of some 2005 energy rules
If enacted, the bill would repeal Sections 706, 711, 712, and 933 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The repeal would remove those specific statutory authorities from that 2005 law. How households or industry are affected would depend on how DOE and other agencies adjust programs that used those authorities.
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.
View on Congress.gov