[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4399 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 4399

   To further the national deployment of electric drive vehicles, to 
strengthen and enhance the national power grid through the integration 
               of such vehicles, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 16, 2009

  Mr. Serrano (for himself, Mr. Terry, Mr. Maffei, Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. 
  Carnahan, and Mr. Israel) introduced the following bill; which was 
 referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in 
 addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Transportation and 
    Infrastructure, and Science and Technology, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To further the national deployment of electric drive vehicles, to 
strengthen and enhance the national power grid through the integration 
               of such vehicles, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``American Electric Vehicle 
Manufacturing Act''.

SEC. 2. ELECTRIC VEHICLE PROGRAM ESTABLISHMENT AND GOALS.

    (a) Establishment.--Subject to amounts made available in advance in 
appropriations Acts, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the 
United States Postal Service, shall establish a program, to be carried 
out in 2 phases, to award funds for the manufacture, testing, and 
delivery of at least 20,000 electric drive United States Postal Service 
Long Life Vehicles or other road vehicles for local postal delivery, to 
further the deployment of electric drive vehicles and the development 
of grid services using electric drive vehicles, including Vehicle-to-
Grid.
    (b) Goals of the Program.--The goals of the program established 
pursuant to subsection (a) are--
            (1) to stimulate private industry development of highly 
        efficient electric drive vehicles, advanced electric drive 
        powertrains, Electric Vehicle Battery Packs, and charging 
        infrastructure by providing large-scale customer demand to 
        purchase, test, and deploy electric drive vehicles and advanced 
        electric drive powertrain conversion kits nationwide;
            (2) to provide Smart Grid integration by establishing a 
        large-scale test bed in multiple regions of the United States 
        for utilities, fleet owners, Independent System Operators, and 
        aggregators to develop charging infrastructure, protocols, and 
        standards for Vehicle-to-Grid deployment and other grid 
        services using electric drive vehicles;
            (3) to independently assess the performance and economic 
        and environmental costs and benefits of electric drive vehicles 
        and advanced electric drive powertrains and to make the results 
        of such assessment publicly available through an information 
        clearinghouse to the extent consistent with the protection of 
        proprietary information;
            (4) to support development of renewable energy systems by 
        aggregating and facilitating the use of vehicle battery storage 
        capabilities to accommodate the intermittency of emerging 
        renewable energy systems, particularly wind systems; and
            (5) to support the eventual transition of the United States 
        Postal Service fleet to electric drive vehicles for postal 
        delivery.

SEC. 3. REQUIREMENTS FOR PHASE I OF THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE PROGRAM.

    (a) Phase I Areas of Interest.--The Secretary, after consultation 
with the United States Postal Service, shall, at a minimum, award funds 
to carry out the following areas of interest under the program 
established pursuant to section 2(a):
            (1) All-electric trucks.--
                    (A) In general.--The production and delivery of 
                2,000 all-electric trucks that meet the requirements of 
                subparagraph (B).
                    (B) Requirements.--An all-electric truck under 
                subparagraph (A) shall--
                            (i) be capable of interchangeably using 
                        Electric Vehicle Battery Packs sized at 20 
                        kilowatt-hours, 30 kilowatt-hours, or 40 
                        kilowatt-hours of useful kilowatt-hour capacity 
                        or have a driving range of greater than 75 
                        miles on a single charge;
                            (ii) use a maximum of 676 watt-hours per 
                        mile on a 50 percent-derated US06 urban driving 
                        cycle, including the benefits of regenerative 
                        braking when operated in a moderate climate;
                            (iii) have a durable design for a minimum 
                        of a 10-year service life;
                            (iv) have a minimum internal cargo capacity 
                        of 175 cubic feet or 1,750 pounds;
                            (v) have met all applicable requirements of 
                        chapter III and chapter V of subtitle B of 
                        title 49, Code of Federal Regulations before 
                        being delivered;
                            (vi) be capable of attaining a minimum 
                        highway speed of 70 miles per hour on a level 
                        grade and 40 miles per hour going up a 10 
                        percent grade;
                            (vii) have 4-wheels with forward and 
                        reverse drive capabilities;
                            (viii) have a curb weight of less than 
                        5,000 pounds;
                            (ix) have a turning radius of less than 50 
                        feet;
                            (x) be capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 
                        miles per hour in less than 15 seconds and 
                        braking from 30 to 0 miles per hour in less 
                        than 55 feet;
                            (xi) be capable of continuously and safely 
                        ascending and descending 20 percent slopes at 
                        20 miles per hour for up to one minute;
                            (xii) be Vehicle-to-Grid Compatible; and
                            (xiii) be compatible with and use charging 
                        stations produced and installed pursuant to 
                        paragraph (6).
                    (C) Deliveries.--Deliveries of all-electric trucks 
                under subparagraph (A) to the United States Postal 
                Service shall begin by month 13 and conclude not later 
                than the end of month 15 after the program start date.
                    (D) Electric vehicle battery packs.--Each recipient 
                of an award of funds under this paragraph shall also 
                deliver an additional number of Electric Vehicle 
                Battery Packs equal to 20 percent of the number of all-
                electric trucks delivered by such recipient. The 
                timing, delivery point, and composition of Electric 
                Vehicle Battery Pack nameplate capacity shall be 
                determined by the coordinating entity.
                    (E) Target number of awards.--To encourage 
                competition, to the extent practicable, the Secretary 
                shall make 1 or 2 awards of funds to produce a total of 
                2,000 all-electric trucks under this paragraph. If the 
                Secretary determines no applicant for an award of funds 
                under this paragraph is qualified and responsive, then 
                funds appropriated for the area of interest under this 
                paragraph shall be used instead to increase the number 
                of vehicles produced pursuant to paragraph (2).
            (2) New electric united states postal service long life 
        vehicles and new derivative electric vehicles.--
                    (A) In general.--The design, qualification, 
                production, and delivery of--
                            (i) 4,000 new electric United States Postal 
                        Service Long Life Vehicles that meet the 
                        requirements of subparagraph (B); and
                            (ii) 200 new Derivative Electric Vehicles 
                        that meet the requirements of subparagraph (C).
                    (B) New electric united states postal service long 
                life vehicle requirements.--A new electric United 
                States Postal Service Long Life Vehicle under 
                subparagraph (A) shall be a new highly efficient all-
                electric vehicle, intended to replace an existing 
                United States Postal Service Long Life Vehicle, and 
                shall--
                            (i) be capable of interchangeably using 
                        Electric Vehicle Battery Packs sized at 20 
                        kilowatt-hours, 30 kilowatt-hours, or 40 
                        kilowatt-hours of useful kilowatt-hour 
                        capacity;
                            (ii) use a maximum of 338 watt-hours per 
                        mile on a 50 percent-derated US06 urban driving 
                        cycle, including the benefits of regenerative 
                        braking when operated in a moderate climate;
                            (iii) have an all-aluminum body similar to 
                        the body of an existing United States Postal 
                        Service Long Life Vehicle with a durable design 
                        for an expected 20-year service life;
                            (iv) have a minimum internal cargo capacity 
                        of 175 cubic feet or 1,750 pounds;
                            (v) have right-hand drive;
                            (vi) have met all applicable requirements 
                        of chapter III and chapter V of subtitle B of 
                        title 49, Code of Federal Regulations before 
                        being delivered;
                            (vii) be capable of attaining a minimum 
                        highway speed of 70 miles per hour on a level 
                        grade and 40 miles per hour going up a 10 
                        percent grade;
                            (viii) have 4-wheels with forward and 
                        reverse drive capabilities;
                            (ix) have a curb weight of less than 5,000 
                        pounds;
                            (x) have a turning radius of less than 50 
                        feet;
                            (xi) be capable of accelerating from 0 to 
                        60 miles per hour in less than 15 seconds and 
                        braking from 30 to 0 miles per hour in less 
                        than 55 feet;
                            (xii) be capable of continuously and safely 
                        ascending and descending 20 percent slopes at 
                        20 miles per hour for up to one minute;
                            (xiii) be Vehicle-to-Grid Compatible; and
                            (xiv) be compatible with and use charging 
                        stations produced and installed pursuant to 
                        paragraph (6).
                    (C) New derivative electric vehicle requirements.--
                A new Derivative Electric Vehicle under subparagraph 
                (A)(ii) shall be a new highly efficient all-electric 
                vehicle that uses the chassis and powertrain design of 
                a new electric United States Postal Service Long Life 
                Vehicle that meets the requirements under subparagraph 
                (B) and shall--
                            (i) be capable of interchangeably using 
                        Electric Vehicle Battery Packs sized at 20 
                        kilowatt-hours, 30 kilowatt-hours, or 40 
                        kilowatt-hours of useful kilowatt-hour 
                        capacity;
                            (ii) use a maximum of 563 watt-hours per 
                        mile on a 50 percent-derated US06 urban driving 
                        cycle, including the benefits of regenerative 
                        braking when operated in a moderate climate;
                            (iii) have the upper body of the 
                        manufacturer's choosing (such as a taxi or 
                        pickup truck body) to enable the vehicle to be 
                        used for a variety of purposes, including mail 
                        delivery, and with a durable design to last a 
                        minimum of 10 years or 150,000 miles; 
                            (iv) have met all applicable requirements 
                        of chapter III and chapter V of subtitle B of 
                        title 49, Code of Federal Regulations before 
                        being delivered;
                            (v) be capable of attaining a minimum 
                        highway speed of 70 miles per hour on a level 
                        grade and 40 miles per hour going up a 10 
                        percent grade;
                            (vi) have 4-wheels with forward and reverse 
                        drive capabilities;
                            (vii) have a curb weight of less than 5,000 
                        pounds;
                            (viii) have a turning radius of less than 
                        50 feet;
                            (ix) be capable of accelerating from 0 to 
                        60 miles per hour in less than 15 seconds and 
                        braking from 30 to 0 miles per hour in less 
                        than 55 feet;
                            (x) be capable of continuously and safely 
                        ascending and descending 20 percent slopes at 
                        20 miles per hour for up to one minute;
                            (xi) be Vehicle-to-Grid Compatible; and
                            (xii) be compatible with and use charging 
                        stations produced and installed pursuant to 
                        paragraph (6).
                    (D) Deliveries.--Delivery of vehicles under 
                subparagraph (A) to the United States Postal Service 
                shall begin by month 25 and conclude not later than the 
                end of month 30 after the program start date.
                    (E) Electric vehicle battery packs.--Each recipient 
                of an award of funds under this paragraph shall also 
                deliver an additional number of Electric Vehicle 
                Battery Packs equal to 20 percent of the number of 
                vehicles delivered by such recipient. The timing, 
                delivery point, and composition of Electric Vehicle 
                Battery Pack nameplate capacity shall be determined by 
                the coordinating entity.
                    (F) Target number of awards.--To encourage 
                competition, to the extent practicable, the Secretary 
                shall make 2 awards of funds under this paragraph.
            (3) Electric drive powertrains.--
                    (A) In general.--The design, qualification, 
                production, and delivery of advanced electric drive 
                powertrains for converting existing United States 
                Postal Service Long Life Vehicles in the following 
                quantities--
                            (i) 1,000 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle 
                        powertrains that meet the requirements of 
                        subparagraph (B); and
                            (ii) 2,000 all-electric powertrains that 
                        meet the requirements of subparagraph (C).
                    (B) Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrain 
                requirements.--A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle 
                powertrain under subparagraph (A) shall be a vehicle 
                powertrain that combines an internal combustion engine, 
                a battery, and an electric motor and that, when joined 
                with the upper body of a existing United States Postal 
                Service Long Life Vehicle shall--
                            (i) have a minimum range of 20 all-electric 
                        miles on an Environmental Protection Agency 
                        urban driving cycle;
                            (ii) have a minimum gasoline fuel economy 
                        of 45 miles per gallon on combined urban and 
                        highway driving cycles, as determined by the 
                        Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
                        Agency;
                            (iii) have a minimum fuel tank capacity of 
                        7.5 gallons;
                            (iv) have an advanced-chemistry battery 
                        pack design with an anticipated lifetime use 
                        without replacement of a minimum of 10 years 
                        and 150,000 miles under normal driving 
                        conditions;
                            (v) have passed applicable defrosting, 
                        cabin warming, seatbelt, and lighting tests 
                        from the Federal motor vehicle safety standards 
                        before being delivered;
                            (vi) have a durable design for a minimum 
                        10-year service life;
                            (vii) have a minimum internal cargo 
                        capacity of 125 cubic feet or 1,250 pounds;
                            (viii) have idle stop, regenerative 
                        braking, and engine-off (electric vehicle-only 
                        mode) as integrated features;
                            (ix) be capable of attaining a minimum 
                        highway speed of 70 miles per hour on a level 
                        grade and 40 miles per hour going up a 10 
                        percent grade;
                            (x) have 4-wheels with forward and reverse 
                        drive capabilities;
                            (xi) have a curb weight of less than 5,000 
                        pounds;
                            (xii) have a turning radius of less than 50 
                        feet;
                            (xiii) be capable of accelerating from 0 to 
                        60 miles per hour in less than 15 seconds and 
                        braking from 30 to 0 miles per hour in less 
                        than 55 feet;
                            (xiv) be capable of continuously and safely 
                        ascending and descending 20 percent slopes at 
                        20 miles per hour for up to one minute;
                            (xv) be Vehicle-to-Grid Compatible; and
                            (xvi) be compatible with and use charging 
                        stations produced and installed pursuant to 
                        paragraph (6).
                    (C) All-electric powertrain requirements.--An all-
                electric powertrain under subparagraph (A) shall be an 
                all-electric vehicle powertrain that, when joined with 
                the upper body of a existing United States Postal 
                Service Long Life Vehicle shall--
                            (i) be capable of interchangeably using 
                        Electric Vehicle Battery Packs sized at 20 
                        kilowatt-hours, 30 kilowatt-hours, or 40 
                        kilowatt-hours of useful kilowatt-hour 
                        capacity;
                            (ii) use a maximum of 563 watt-hours per 
                        mile on a 50 percent-derated US06 urban driving 
                        cycle, including the benefits of regenerative 
                        braking when operated in a moderate climate;
                            (iii) have passed applicable defrosting, 
                        cabin warming, seatbelt, and lighting tests 
                        from the Federal motor vehicle safety standards 
                        before being delivered;
                            (iv) have a durable design for a minimum of 
                        a 10-year service life;
                            (v) have a minimum internal cargo capacity 
                        of 125 cubic feet or 1,250 pounds;
                            (vi) be capable of attaining a minimum 
                        highway speed of 70 miles per hour on a level 
                        grade and 40 miles per hour going up a 10 
                        percent grade;
                            (vii) have 4-wheels with forward and 
                        reverse drive capabilities;
                            (viii) have a curb weight of less than 
                        5,000 pounds;
                            (ix) have a turning radius of less than 50 
                        feet;
                            (x) be capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 
                        miles per hour in less than 15 seconds and 
                        braking from 30 to 0 miles per hour in less 
                        than 55 feet;
                            (xi) be capable of continuously and safely 
                        ascending and descending 20 percent slopes at 
                        20 miles per hour for up to one minute;
                            (xii) be Vehicle-to-Grid Compatible; and
                            (xiii) be compatible with and use charging 
                        stations produced and installed pursuant to 
                        paragraph (6).
                    (D) Deliveries.--Delivery of all-electric 
                powertrains and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle 
                powertrains under subparagraph (A) to recipients of 
                funds for the area of interest under paragraph (4) 
                shall begin by month 19 and conclude not later than the 
                end of month 23 after the program start date.
                    (E) Electric vehicle battery packs.--Each recipient 
                of an award of funds for the design, qualification, 
                production, and delivery of all-electric powertrains 
                under this paragraph shall also deliver an additional 
                number of Electric Vehicle Battery Packs equal to 20 
                percent of the number of powertrains under subparagraph 
                (A) delivered by such recipient. The timing, delivery 
                point, and composition of Electric Vehicle Battery Pack 
                nameplate capacity shall be determined by the 
                coordinating entity.
                    (F) Target number of awards.--To encourage 
                competition, to the extent practicable, the Secretary 
                shall make 4 awards of funds under this paragraph for 
                all-electric powertrains and 2 awards of funds for 
                plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrains. If the 
                Secretary determines no applicant for an award of funds 
                under this paragraph is qualified and responsive, then 
                funds for the area of interest under this paragraph 
                shall be used instead to increase the number of 
                vehicles produced pursuant to paragraph (2).
            (4) Conversion of existing united states postal service 
        long life vehicles.--
                    (A) In general.--The preparation and conversion of 
                3,000 existing United States Postal Service Long Life 
                Vehicles to electric drive using all-electric 
                powertrains and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle 
                powertrains delivered pursuant to paragraph (3).
                    (B) Deliveries.--Delivery of United States Postal 
                Service Long Life Vehicles converted pursuant to 
                subparagraph (A) to the United States Postal Service 
                shall begin by month 20 and conclude not later than the 
                end of month 24 after the program start date.
                    (C) Target number of awards.--To encourage 
                competition, to the extent practicable, the Secretary 
                shall make 2 awards of funds under this paragraph.
            (5) Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.--
                    (A) In general.--The production and delivery of 
                1,000 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that meet the 
                requirements of subparagraph (B).
                    (B) Requirements.--A plug-in hybrid electric 
                vehicle under subparagraph (A) shall--
                            (i) have a minimum range of 20 all-electric 
                        miles on an Environmental Protection Agency 
                        urban driving cycle;
                            (ii) have a minimum gasoline fuel economy 
                        of 30 miles per gallon on combined urban and 
                        highway drive cycles, as determined by the 
                        Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
                        Agency;
                            (iii) have an advanced-chemistry battery 
                        pack design with an anticipated lifetime use 
                        without replacement of a minimum of 10 years 
                        and 150,000 miles under normal driving 
                        conditions;
                            (iv) have a durable design for a minimum 
                        10-year service life;
                            (v) have a minimum internal cargo capacity 
                        of 50 cubic feet or 500 pounds;
                            (vi) have idle stop, regenerative braking, 
                        and engine-off (electric vehicle-only mode) as 
                        integrated features;
                            (vii) have met all applicable requirements 
                        of chapter III and chapter V of subtitle B of 
                        title 49, Code of Federal Regulations before 
                        being delivered;
                            (viii) be capable of attaining minimum 
                        highway speed of 70 miles per hour on a level 
                        grade and 40 miles per hour going up a 10 
                        percent grade;
                            (ix) have 4-wheels with forward and reverse 
                        drive capabilities;
                            (x) have a curb weight of less than 5,000 
                        pounds;
                            (xi) have a turning radius of less than 50 
                        feet;
                            (xii) be capable of accelerating from 0 to 
                        60 miles per hour in less than 15 seconds and 
                        braking from 30 to 0 miles per hour in less 
                        than 55 feet;
                            (xiii) be capable of continuously and 
                        safely ascending and descending 20 percent 
                        slopes at 20 miles per hour for up to one 
                        minute;
                            (xiv) be Vehicle-to-Grid Compatible; and
                            (xv) be compatible with and use charging 
                        stations produced and installed pursuant to 
                        paragraph (6).
                    (C) Deliveries.--Deliveries of plug-in hybrid 
                electric vehicles under subparagraph (A) to the United 
                States Postal Service shall begin by month 13 and 
                conclude not later than the end of month 15 after the 
                program start date.
                    (D) Target number of awards.--To encourage 
                competition, to the extent practicable, the Secretary 
                shall make 1 or 2 awards of funds under this paragraph 
                to produce a total of 1,000 plug-in hybrid electric 
                vehicles. If the Secretary determines no applicant for 
                an award of funds under this paragraph is qualified and 
                responsive, then funds for the area of interest under 
                this paragraph shall be used instead to increase the 
                number of vehicles produced pursuant to paragraph (2).
            (6) Charging stations.--
                    (A) In general.--The design, production, and 
                installation of 12,000 charging stations that meet the 
                requirements of subparagraph (B) at United States 
                Postal Service facilities, including areas accessible 
                by the general public.
                    (B) Requirements.--A charging station under 
                subparagraph (A) shall--
                            (i) use a connector that meets the Society 
                        of Automotive Engineers International J1772 
                        standard (or its successor) and be capable of 
                        Level II charging;
                            (ii) be capable of supplying 208/240 volts 
                        and 80 amperes continuous;
                            (iii) have a unique identification code;
                            (iv) be capable of transmitting such unique 
                        identification code to the vehicle plugged in 
                        to it; and
                            (v) be capable of being connected to the 
                        Internet through a communications facility such 
                        as powerline carrier, cellular network, or 
                        wireless internet protocol.
                    (C) Installation.--Installation of 3,600 charging 
                stations shall be completed by the end of month 12 
                after the program start date, with the balance of the 
                charging stations to be installed by the end of month 
                18 after the program start date.
                    (D) Target number of awards.--To encourage 
                competition, to the extent practicable, the Secretary 
                shall make 2 to 4 awards of funds to produce and 
                install a total of 12,000 charging stations under this 
                paragraph.
            (7) Smart grid technology.--
                    (A) In general.--The deployment of Smart Grid 
                technologies, principally Vehicle-to-Grid, for vehicles 
                delivered pursuant to paragraphs (1), (2), (4), and (5) 
                to connect to the power grid for charging and 
                discharging and the provision of grid services.
                    (B) Award recipients.--
                            (i) Award teams.--Each recipient of an 
                        award of funds under this paragraph shall 
                        include a utility, Independent System Operator, 
                        and a separate entity acting as aggregator of 
                        electric vehicle charging demand.
                            (ii) Geographic diversity.--In awarding 
                        funds under this paragraph, the Secretary 
                        shall, to the extent practicable, select award 
                        teams described in clause (i) that represent a 
                        broad range of geographic areas in the United 
                        States and shall ensure that a minimum of 1,000 
                        vehicles from the test fleet and 1,200 charging 
                        stations are deployed to the geographic service 
                        area represented by each such award team.
                            (iii) Multiple award team membership.--No 
                        Independent System Operator may belong to more 
                        than 2 award teams described in clause (i).
                            (iv) Target number of awards.--To encourage 
                        competition, to the extent practicable, the 
                        Secretary shall make 7 awards of funds under 
                        this paragraph.
            (8) Lithium ion battery repurposing.--
                    (A) In general.--Activities to increase lithium ion 
                battery repurposing and lithium ion battery recycling 
                infrastructure, including--
                            (i) analyses of business models and 
                        demonstration of uses of lithium ion batteries 
                        after the removal of such batteries from 
                        electric drive vehicles; and
                            (ii) building or increasing production 
                        capacity of a lithium ion battery recycling 
                        plant in the United States that has 
                        demonstrated the ability to recycle a minimum 
                        of 2,000 lithium ion battery packs per month 
                        (or equivalent throughput).
                    (B) Target number of awards.--To encourage 
                competition, to the extent practicable, the Secretary 
                shall make 2 awards of funds under this paragraph.
            (9) Standards and safety policies.--
                    (A) In general.--The development of standards and 
                safety policies for, at a minimum, the following 
                categories relating to deployment of the test fleet:
                            (i) Standards for electricity tariffs for 
                        Vehicle-to-Grid or time-of-day charging, or 
                        both.
                            (ii) Standards for communication protocols 
                        involving electric drive batteries and Vehicle-
                        to-Grid or other grid services.
                            (iii) Standards for battery safety and 
                        battery recycling.
                            (iv) Standards for charging station 
                        infrastructure.
                            (v) Standards for integration of the test 
                        fleet with intermittent renewable energy 
                        sources (especially wind).
                    (B) Target number of awards.--To encourage 
                competition, to the extent practicable, the Secretary 
                shall make a minimum of 1 award of funds for each award 
                category described under subparagraph (A).
    (b) Intent of Congress.--It is the intent of Congress to encourage 
the greatest amount of competition and the widest range of applicants 
(including large and small and geographically diverse companies) to 
receive awards of funds for the areas of interest under subsection (a).
    (c) Awards.--
            (1) Competitive solicitation.--The Secretary shall issue a 
        competitive solicitation for awards of Federal funds for the 
        areas of interest under subsection (a).
            (2) Federal share.--The Secretary shall determine the 
        amount of funds each recipient of an award of funds under this 
        Act shall provide, from non-Federal sources, to carry out the 
        activities supported by the award of funds. Recipients of 
        awards of funds under paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (5) of 
        subsection (a) may receive awards of funds of up to 80 percent 
        of the total costs to carry out development and qualification 
        activities for a project under each such respective paragraph.
    (d) Assessment, Coordination, and Data Analyses Requirements.--The 
Secretary shall, for assessment, coordination, and data analyses, make 
one award of funds for each of the following areas of interest under 
the program established pursuant to section 2(a):
            (1) Charge and use data collection.--Collection and 
        assessment of charge and use data for the test fleet to capture 
        actual daily vehicle use data and conditions in the field for 
        determining the economic cost per vehicle mile of operation.
            (2) Charging and vehicle-to-grid data collection.--
        Collection and assessment of charging data and grid services 
        provided, including Vehicle-to-Grid, for all vehicles in the 
        test fleet, including--
                    (A) analysis of the total energy added to each 
                Electric Vehicle Battery Pack in the test fleet per 
                day;
                    (B) quantification of battery use for Vehicle-to-
                Grid activity per vehicle per day;
                    (C) analyses of the value of Vehicle-to-Grid and 
                other grid services provided per vehicle per day; and
                    (D) evaluation of charging station performance and 
                usage.
            (3) Assessment of mission requirements.--Assessment of how 
        well the test fleet vehicles meet stated United States Postal 
        Service vehicle objectives, including mission requirements, 
        availability, cost of ownership, energy use per mile, and 
        maintenance summaries. Such assessment shall include semiannual 
        vehicle and powertrain evaluations for each type of vehicle in 
        the test fleet.
            (4) Economic and environmental impacts.--Analysis of the 
        economic and environmental impacts of all aspects of the test 
        fleet (as compared to existing United States Postal Service 
        Long Life Vehicles), including--
                    (A) projected operating costs per mile for each of 
                the powertrains and vehicles produced under Phase I;
                    (B) projected revenues from Vehicle-to-Grid or 
                other grid services per vehicle per day; and
                    (C) articulation of environmental impacts of 
                continued deployment of electric drive vehicles for the 
                United States Postal Service.
            (5) Education and outreach.--Education and outreach to 
        inform the general public, industry, and State and local 
        governments about the objectives and results of the program 
        established pursuant to section 2(a).
            (6) Coordination, overall assessment, and summary report on 
        phase i.--
                    (A) Coordinating entity.--The Secretary, after 
                consultation with the United States Postal Service and 
                the Postal Regulatory Commission, shall make an award 
                of funds to an independent, non-governmental entity, to 
                provide coordination of Phase I, including coordination 
                and timing of the delivery of vehicles, powertrains, 
                Electric Vehicle Battery Packs, and charging stations 
                from award recipients under subsection (a). 
                Coordination shall include recommendations of specific 
                allocations of vehicles and charging stations by 
                location consistent with the goals of the program 
                established pursuant to section 2(a) and subject to the 
                approval of the Secretary. The entity selected to 
                receive an award of funds under this paragraph shall 
                have demonstrated expertise in electric vehicles and 
                postal needs and regulation.
                    (B) Reports.--
                            (i) Phase i report.--The entity selected to 
                        receive an award of funds under this paragraph 
                        shall prepare a report that evaluates the 
                        product and performance of each award recipient 
                        under subsection (a). Such report shall be 
                        based on the data and analyses described in 
                        paragraphs (1) through (4), the results of the 
                        testing conducted pursuant to subsection (e), 
                        the least cost of ownership, United States 
                        Postal Service mission requirements, and any 
                        other relevant factors. The report shall 
                        contain recommendations for the Secretary to 
                        consider in awarding funds under Phase II, 
                        including a ranking of Phase I award recipients 
                        for production of additional vehicles and 
                        charging stations under Phase II. In 
                        extraordinary circumstances, such as unexpected 
                        technological developments or breakthroughs, 
                        the report may include a recommendation of a 
                        company or companies that were not Phase I 
                        award recipients for the award of funds for the 
                        production of vehicles or charging stations for 
                        Phase II. The report required under this clause 
                        shall be submitted to the Secretary not later 
                        than 90 days after the submission of data and 
                        analyses described in paragraphs (1) through 
                        (4) and the results of the testing conducted 
                        pursuant to subsection (e).
                            (ii) Phase ii annual reports.--The entity 
                        selected to receive an award of funds under 
                        this paragraph shall review the performance of 
                        Phase II award recipients and the quality of 
                        Phase II vehicles and submit an annual report 
                        to the Secretary assessing the deployment of 
                        Phase II vehicles by the United States Postal 
                        Service for 2 years after the delivery date of 
                        such Phase II vehicles.
                    (C) Award recipient considerations.--In selecting 
                the award recipient under this paragraph, the Secretary 
                shall consider the ability of each applicant to provide 
                objective, unbiased assessments not only with respect 
                to individual companies but also with respect to 
                competing technologies and competing segments of the 
                electric vehicle industry (such as all-electric and 
                plug-in hybrid electric vehicles).
    (e) Accelerated Use Testing by Department of Energy National 
Laboratories.--
            (1) Accelerated use testing of battery packs in a 
        laboratory setting.--The Secretary shall direct one or more of 
        the Department of Energy National Laboratories to conduct tests 
        of the Electric Vehicle Battery Packs delivered pursuant to 
        paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a), the results of 
        which shall be submitted to the Secretary and the coordinating 
        entity, to determine--
                    (A) battery pack cycle life in likely use; and
                    (B) the projected economic cost per vehicle mile of 
                operation.
            (2) Accelerated use testing of powertrains inside and 
        outside of a laboratory setting.--The Secretary shall direct 
        one or more of the Department of Energy National Laboratories 
        to conduct tests of the powertrains delivered pursuant to 
        subsection (a), the results of which shall be submitted to the 
        Secretary and the coordinating entity, to determine--
                    (A) powertrain life and warranty needs in projected 
                use; and
                    (B) the projected economic cost per vehicle mile of 
                operation.
    (f) Data Completion and Integrity.--
            (1) Data completion.--All Phase 1 data and analyses under 
        paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (d) and the results of 
        the tests conducted pursuant to subsection (e) shall be 
        submitted to the Secretary and the coordinating entity not 
        later than 44 months after the program start date.
            (2) Integrity of testing and data collection.--The 
        Inspector General of the United States Postal Service and the 
        Inspector General of the Department of Energy shall have joint 
        responsibility to ensure the integrity of all testing and data 
        collection and the objectivity of all assessments and reports 
        under this section.
    (g) Disqualifications.--
            (1) Independent assessment.--No person or entity who has a 
        financial interest in any member of team or entity applying for 
        an award of funds under subsection (a) shall be allowed to 
        participate in any project for any area of interest under 
        subsection (d).
            (2) Independent coordination.--Any applicant for the award 
        of funds under subsection (d)(6) shall be disqualified from 
        receiving an award of funds under subsection (a).
    (h) Revenues Deposited Into Fund.--
            (1) Establishment of fund.--There is established in the 
        Treasury of the United States a fund to be known as the 
        ``Postal Service Sustainability Fund'', consisting of such 
        amounts as may be appropriated to the Postal Service 
        Sustainability Fund as provided in this section.
            (2) Transfers to fund.--There are hereby appropriated to 
        the Postal Service Sustainability Fund any amounts received for 
        grid services pursuant to subsection (a)(7) and any other 
        revenues of United States Postal Service generated through 
        activities under this Act.
            (3) Expenditures from postal service sustainability fund.--
        Amounts in the Postal Service Sustainability Fund shall be 
        available, as provided by appropriation Acts, in any year for 
        use by the United States Postal Service to make capital 
        improvements to its infrastructure (including vehicles and 
        facilities) to benefit the environment.

SEC. 4. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS FOR PHASE II.

    (a) Report by the Inspector General.--Not later than 60 days after 
the submission of the report required under section 3(d)(6)(B)(i), the 
Inspector General of the United States Postal Service shall review such 
report and submit to the Secretary a separate report with 
recommendations for specific vehicles and charging stations for Phase 
II.
    (b) Teams for Production.--On the basis of the report required 
under section 3(d)(6)(B)(i) and the report of the Inspector General of 
the United States Postal Service required under subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall select the recipient or recipients for awards of funds 
for Phase II for the production and delivery of 10,000 electric postal 
delivery vehicles and 12,000 charging stations.

SEC. 5. BUY AMERICAN PRIORITY.

    In awarding funds for Phase I and Phase II of the program 
established pursuant to section 2(a), the Secretary shall give priority 
to applicants that have demonstrated commitment to--
            (1) if sufficient and reasonably available commercial 
        quantities of a satisfactory quality are available, using--
                    (A) only such unmanufactured articles, materials, 
                and supplies as have been mined or produced in the 
                United States; and
                    (B) only such manufactured articles, materials, and 
                supplies as have been manufactured in the United States 
                substantially all from articles, materials, or supplies 
                mined, produced, or manufactured, as the case may be, 
                in the United States; and
            (2) entering into contracts, with respect to any area of 
        interest under this Act, that contain a provision that in the 
        performance of the work of a contractor, subcontractors, 
        material men, or suppliers, shall use--
                    (A) only such unmanufactured articles, materials, 
                and supplies as have been mined or produced in the 
                United States; and
                    (B) only such manufactured articles, materials, and 
                supplies as have been manufactured in the United States 
                substantially all from articles, materials, or supplies 
                mined, produced, or manufactured, as the case may be, 
                in the United States.

SEC. 6. INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE.

    The Secretary, as part of the program established pursuant to 
section 2(a) and in compliance with Federal and State laws, shall 
collect and make publicly available information on the cost, 
performance, and other technical data regarding the deployment and 
integration of electric drive vehicles, charging stations, and Vehicle-
to-Grid and other grid services, including the reports required under 
section 3(d)(6)(B). The Secretary shall establish rules for access to 
such information in a manner to protect proprietary information and to 
ensure that disclosing entities are not placed at a competitive 
disadvantage.

SEC. 7. EXEMPTION.

    Activities or services provided by the United States Postal Service 
arising from the program established pursuant to section 2(a) shall be 
exempt from restrictions under section 404(e) of title 39, United 
States Code, and any regulation or order promulgated thereunder.

SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) The term ``aggregator'' means a independent 
        intermediary in the power industry that combines and 
        coordinates the power needs of multiple vehicles during 
        recharging and acts as a liaison between a Regional 
        Transmission Operator or Independent System Operator and owners 
        of battery packs and electric vehicles.
            (2) The term ``charge level set-points and protocols'' 
        means guidelines issued by a battery manufacturer for the range 
        of charge levels that a battery pack should be operated within 
        in order to attain a given number of charge cycles, life 
        duration, or other key performance metrics.
            (3) The term ``coordinating entity'' means the entity that 
        receives an award of funds for the area of interest under 
        section 3(d)(6).
            (4) The term ``cycle life'' means the total number of 
        charge and discharge cycles a rechargeable battery cell or pack 
        can sustain before the end of life of such battery cell or pack 
        (meaning the battery cell or pack is capable of delivering only 
        80 percent of its initial rated ampere-hour capacity).
            (5) The term ``depth of discharge'' means the amount of 
        energy that has been removed from a battery (or battery pack), 
        typically expressed as a percentage of the total capacity of 
        the battery.
            (6) The term ``Electric Vehicle Battery Pack'' means a 
        battery pack that--
                    (A) has a maximum nominal voltage between 300 and 
                600 volts of direct current;
                    (B) is capable of being exchanged with other 
                Electric Vehicle Battery Packs within 4 hours within 
                the given vehicle or powertrain for which it is 
                configured;
                    (C) has an advanced-chemistry design and an 
                anticipated cycle life without replacement of a minimum 
                of 7 years under normal driving conditions;
                    (D) if lithium-ion, has passed UN safety tests 
                prior to deliveries of the test fleet;
                    (E) is capable of satisfying the requirements under 
                the program established pursuant to section 2(a) with 
                respect to a vehicle or powertrain for which it is 
                configured;
                    (F) is Vehicle-to-Grid Compatible; and
                    (G) with respect to a specific powertrain or 
                vehicle in the test fleet, is designed to be 
                interchangeable and, to the extent practicable is 
                produced in equal quantities of 3 sizes of 20 kilowatt-
                hours, 30 kilowatt-hours, and 40 kilowatt-hours of 
                useful kilowatt-hour capacity, respectively.
            (7) The term ``Environmental Protection Agency urban 
        driving cycle'' means a test driving cycle incorporating a 
        series of data points representing the speed of a vehicle 
        versus time used by the Environmental Protection Agency to test 
        and measure vehicle emissions.
            (8) The term ``existing United States Postal Service Long 
        Life Vehicle'' means a United States Postal Service Long Life 
        Vehicle--
                    (A) originally produced by Grumman Allied 
                Industries, Inc.; and
                    (B) used in 2009 for postal delivery.
            (9) The term ``50 percent-derated US06 urban driving 
        cycle'' means a test driving cycle in which the vehicle speed 
        is 50 percent of that listed in the US06 driving cycle for each 
        one second interval.
            (10) The term ``Federal motor vehicle standards'' means the 
        standards under part 571 of title 49, Code of Federal 
        Regulations.
            (11) The term ``financial interest'' means any interest in, 
        or affiliation with, an applicant for an award of funds under 
        the program established pursuant to section 2(a) in the 12 
        months prior to the date of application for such an award of 
        funds. A financial interest includes--
                    (A) an ownership interest that is more than 1 
                percent of equity or bonds outstanding;
                    (B) a loan or other financial arrangement; and
                    (C) employment (not including legal or consulting 
                services) or arrangements for future employment.
            (12) The term ``grid services'' mean the provision of 
        services of monetary value to the power grid, including--
                    (A) regulation;
                    (B) quick response emergency power at the grid 
                level to prevent cascading shutdowns;
                    (C) at the distribution system level, reducing load 
                at substations and transformers at critical times when 
                the grid is overloaded; and
                    (D) the balancing of intermittent renewable energy 
                sources, such as wind.
            (13) The term ``Independent System Operator'' has the 
        meaning given such term in section 3(28) of the Federal Power 
        Act (16 U.S.C. 796(28)).
            (14) The term ``lifetime energy'' means the total energy 
        available from a battery pack when operated using manufacturer 
        defined depth-of-discharge and charge level set-points and 
        protocols (including thermal management) during the period from 
        its first use to the charge cycle when the battery pack can 
        only be charged to 80 percent of its nameplate capacity.
            (15) The term ``nameplate capacity'' means the nominal 
        maximum energy capacity of a battery pack.
            (16) The term ``Phase I'' means the portion of the program 
        established pursuant to section 2(a) that occurs before Phase 
        II.
            (17) The term ``Phase II'' means the portion of the program 
        established pursuant to section 2(a) required under section 4, 
        the production, deployment, and installation of the vehicles 
        and charging stations described in section 4(b), and the 
        reports required under section 3(d)(6)(B)(ii).
            (18) The term ``program start date'' means a date 
        designated by the Secretary in consultation with the United 
        States Postal Service that is not later than 90 days after the 
        date of the first award of funds under the program established 
        pursuant to section 2(a).
            (19) The term ``qualification'' means activities after the 
        design phase that demonstrate that certain requirements are met 
        by a product, including--
                    (A) with respect to vehicles produced and delivered 
                pursuant to this Act, meeting the Federal motor vehicle 
                safety standards that require crash tests and data 
                analysis; and
                    (B) with respect to lithium ion Electric Vehicle 
                Battery Packs developed and delivered pursuant to this 
                Act, passing UN safety tests before vehicle deliveries 
                begin.
            (20) The term ``Regional Transmission Organization'' has 
        the meaning such term in section 3(27) of the Federal Power Act 
        (16 U.S.C. 796(27)).
            (21) The term ``regulation'' means, with respect to 
        electric energy markets, continuous adjustment of and balancing 
        of load and generation in response to a real time signal to 
        maintain the grid frequency of 60 Hertz.
            (22) The term ``right hand drive'' means, with respect to a 
        vehicle, that the driving seat and controls of such vehicle are 
        on the right side of such vehicle.
            (23) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Energy.
            (24) The term ``spinning reserves'' means available storage 
        capacity that is infrequently called upon to provide power to 
        the power grid in response to a real time signal in the event 
        of an unplanned power shortage.
            (25) The term ``test fleet'' means the fleet of vehicles 
        delivered pursuant to Phase I.
            (26) The term ``UN safety tests'' means the protocols and 
        safety standards required for the safe transit of dangerous 
        goods, including lithium ion batteries, as established by the 
        United Nations Transport of Dangerous Goods subcommittee.
            (27) The term ``useful-kilowatt-hour'' means the energy 
        capacity of a battery pack when operated within depth of 
        discharge ranges established by the manufacturer to achieve 
        cycle life, lifetime energy, longevity, and other performance 
        goals of the battery pack.
            (28) The term ``US06 driving cycle'' means a test driving 
        cycle used by the Environmental Protection Agency designed to 
        simulate aggressive vehicle operation and used in the 5-cycle 
        fuel economy measurement that incorporates fuel economy values 
        from 5 different emission test cycles to get an overall fuel 
        economy estimate to reflect real world driving.
            (29) The term ``Vehicle-to-Grid'' means use of an electric 
        drive vehicle (battery, fuel cell, or hybrid) to provide power 
        to the power grid for various uses while the vehicle is parked.
            (30) The term ``Vehicle-to-Grid Compatible'' means--
                    (A) with respect to a Electric Vehicle Battery Pack 
                delivered under the program established pursuant to 
                section 2(a)--
                            (i) is capable of recharging from an 
                        external source of electric energy at a rate of 
                        at least 15 kilowatts continuous; and
                            (ii) is capable of discharging electric 
                        energy from the vehicle to the power grid at a 
                        rate of at least 15 kilowatts continuous; and
                    (B) with respect to a vehicle delivered under the 
                program established pursuant to section 2(a)--
                            (i) is equipped with an Electric Vehicle 
                        Battery Pack that meets the requirements under 
                        subparagraph (A);
                            (ii) is capable of drawing motive power 
                        from a battery with useful-kilowatt-hour 
                        capacity of at least 15 kilowatt-hours; and
                            (iii) is equipped with on-board 
                        communications hardware and software that allow 
                        for the external computer control of the 
                        direction and rate of battery charging and 
                        discharging by an aggregator.

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Phase I.--
            (1) All-electric trucks.--There are authorized to be 
        appropriated $125,000,000 to carry out the area of interest 
        under section 3(a)(1).
            (2) New electric united states postal service long life 
        vehicles and derivative electric vehicles.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated $415,000,000 to carry out the 
        area of interest under section 3(a)(2).
            (3) Electric drive powertrains.--There are authorized to be 
        appropriated $480,000,000 to carry out the area of interest 
        under section 3(a)(3), with not more than one-fourth of such 
        amount to be used for the design, production, and delivery of 
        plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrains.
            (4) Conversion of existing united states postal service 
        long life vehicles.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        $35,000,000 to carry out the area of interest under section 
        3(a)(4).
            (5) Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.--There are authorized 
        to be appropriated $60,000,000 to carry out the area of 
        interest under section 3(a)(5).
            (6) Charging stations.--There are authorized to be 
        appropriated $60,000,000 to carry out the area of interest 
        under section 3(a)(6).
            (7) Smart grid technology.--There are authorized to be 
        appropriated $140,000,000 to carry out the area of interest 
        under section 3(a)(7).
            (8) Lithium ion battery repurposing.--There are authorized 
        to be appropriated $30,000,000 to carry out the area of 
        interest under section 3(a)(8).
            (9) Standards and safety policy.--There are authorized to 
        be appropriated $25,000,000 to carry out the area of interest 
        under section 3(a)(9).
            (10) Charge and use data collection.--There are authorized 
        to be appropriated $15,000,000 to carry out the area of 
        interest under section 3(d)(1).
            (11) Charging and vehicle-to-grid data collection.--There 
        are authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 to carry out the 
        area of interest under section 3(d)(2).
            (12) Assessment of mission requirements.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated $7,500,000 to carry out the area 
        of interest under section 3(d)(3).
            (13) Economic and environmental impacts.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated $7,500,000 to carry out the area 
        of interest under section 3(d)(4).
            (14) Education and outreach.--There are authorized to be 
        appropriated $5,000,000 to carry out the area of interest under 
        section 3(d)(5).
            (15) Coordination, overall assessment, and summary report 
        on phase i.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        $25,000,000 to carry out the coordination and report aspects of 
        the area of interest under section 3(d)(6).
            (16) Accelerated use testing of battery packs.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 to carry out the 
        testing under section 3(e)(1).
            (17) Accelerated use testing of powertrains.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated $15,000,000 to carry out the 
        testing under section 3(e)(2).
            (18) Job training.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        $5,000,000 to the Secretary during Phase I for the training of 
        United States Postal Service employees for maintenance of 
        postal electric vehicles delivered pursuant to this Act and 
        installation and maintenance of related infrastructure.
            (19) Additional awards.--There are authorized to be 
        appropriated $20,000,000 to the Secretary during Phase I, for 
        making additional awards of funds, at the discretion of the 
        Secretary, to address other related issues, such as cold-
        weather performance of vehicles and batteries, possible 
        integration into rural postal deliveries, and in-vehicle 
        enhancements.
    (b) Phase II.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary $450,000,000 for the production and delivery of the vehicles 
and the installation of charging stations described in section 4(b).
    (c) Administration and Training.--From the funds appropriated 
pursuant to subsections (a) and (b), in an amount not to exceed 
$2,000,000 in each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reimburse the 
United States Postal Service and the Inspector General of the United 
States Postal Service for any costs incurred in administering the 
program established pursuant to section 2(a).
                                 <all>