15 U.S.C. § 2505 — Research and development

Page 1840 TITLE 15—COMMERCE AND TRADE § 2505 see Codification note set out under section 2502 of this title. § 2505. Research and development The Secretary of Energy, acting through ap- propriate agencies and contractors, shall ini- tiate and provide for the conduct of research and development in areas related to electric and hy- brid vehicles, including— (1) energy storage technology, including bat- teries and their potential for convenient re- charging; (2) vehicle control systems and overall de- sign for energy conservation, including the use of regenerative braking; (3) urban design and traffic management to promote maximum transportation-related en- ergy conservation and minimum transpor- tation-related degradation of the environ- ment; and (4) vehicle design which emphasizes dura- bility, length of practical lifetime, ease of re- pair, and interchangeability and replaceability of parts. (Pub. L. 94–413, § 6, Sept. 17, 1976, 90 Stat. 1263; Pub. L. 95–91, title III, § 301(a), Aug. 4, 1977, 91 Stat. 577.) Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS ‘‘Secretary of Energy’’ substituted in text for ‘‘Ad- ministrator’’ pursuant to section 301(a) of Pub. L. 95–91, see Codification note set out under section 2502 of this title. § 2506. Demonstrations (a) Data development; baseline data; acquisition of vehicles Within 12 months after September 17, 1976, the Secretary of Energy shall develop data charac- terizing the present state-of-the-art with respect to electric and hybrid vehicles. The data so de- veloped shall serve as baseline data to be uti- lized in order (1) to compare improvements in electric and hybrid vehicle technologies; (2) to assist in establishing the performance standards under subsection (b)(1); and (3) to otherwise as- sist in carrying out the purposes of this section. In developing any such data, the Secretary of Energy shall purchase or lease a reasonable number of such vehicles or enter into such other arrangements as the Secretary of Energy deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this sub- section. (b) Performance standards; factors considered; vehicle uses; revision; transmission of stand- ards to Congress (1) Within 15 months after September 17, 1976, the Secretary of Energy shall promulgate rules establishing performance standards for electric and hybrid vehicles to be purchased or leased pursuant to subsection (c)(1). The standards so developed shall take into account the factors of energy conservation, urban traffic characteris- tics, patterns of use for ‘‘second’’ vehicles, con- sumer preferences, maintenance needs, battery recharging characteristics, agricultural require- ments, materials demand and their ability to be recycled, vehicle safety and insurability, cost, and other relevant considerations, as such fac- tors and considerations particularly apply to or affect vehicles with electric or hybrid propulsion systems. Such standards are to be developed taking into account (A) the best current state- of-the-art, and (B) reasonable estimates as to the future state-of-the-art, based on projections of results from the research and development conducted under section 2505 of this title. In de- veloping such standards, the Secretary of En- ergy shall consult with appropriate experts con- cerning design needs for electric and hybrid ve- hicles which are compatible with long-range urban planning, traffic management, and vehicle safety. (2) Separate performance standards shall be established under subsection (b)(1) with respect to (A) electric or hybrid vehicles for personal use, and (B) commercial electric or hybrid vehi- cles. Such performance standards shall rep- resent the minimum level of performance which is required with respect to any vehicles pur- chased or leased pursuant to subsection (c). Ini- tial performance standards under subsection (b)(1) shall be set at such levels as the Secretary of Energy determines are necessary to promote the acquisition and use of such vehicles for transportation purposes which are within the capability (as determined by the Secretary of Energy) of electric and hybrid vehicles. (3) Such performance standards shall be re- vised, by rule, periodically as the state-of-the- art improves. (4) The Secretary of Energy shall transmit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate, and to the Com- mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, the performance standards developed under para- graph (1) and all revised performance standards established in connection with the demonstra- tions specified in subsection (c)(2). (c) Contracts for vehicle purchase or lease; deliv- ery requirements; demonstration criteria and duration; availability of information for leasing and procurements (1) The Secretary of Energy shall, within 6 months after the date of promulgation of per- formance standards pursuant to subsection (b)(1), institute the first contracts for the pur- chase or lease of electric or hybrid vehicles which satisfy the performance standards set forth under subsection (b)(1). The delivery of such vehicles shall be completed according to the expedited best effort of the administering agency and the selected manufacturer. To the extent practicable, vehicles purchased or leased under such contracts shall represent a cross-sec- tion of the available technologies and of actual or potential vehicle use. (2) Thereafter, according to a planned sched- ule, the Secretary of Energy shall contract for the purchase or lease of additional electric or hybrid vehicles which satisfy amended perform- ance standards and represent continuing im- provements in state-of-the-art. In conducting demonstrations, the Secretary of Energy shall consider— (A) the need and intent of the Congress to stimulate and encourage private sector pro-