Transportation electrification
Definitions
In this section:
Administrator
Battery
Electric transportation technology
The term “electric transportation technology” means—
technology used in vehicles that use an electric motor for all or part of the motive power of the vehicles, including battery electric, hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, fuel cell, and plug-in fuel cell vehicles, or rail transportation; or
equipment relating to transportation or mobile sources of air pollution that use an electric motor to replace an internal combustion engine for all or part of the work of the equipment, including—
corded electric equipment linked to transportation or mobile sources of air pollution; and
electrification technologies at airports, ports, truck stops, and material-handling facilities.
Nonroad vehicle
The term “nonroad vehicle” means a vehicle—
powered—
by a nonroad engine, as that term is defined in section 7550 of this title; or
fully or partially by an electric motor powered by a fuel cell, a battery, or an off-board source of electricity; and
that is not a motor vehicle or a vehicle used solely for competition.
Plug-in electric drive vehicle
The term “plug-in electric drive vehicle” means a vehicle that—
draws motive power from a battery with a capacity of at least 4 kilowatt-hours;
can be recharged from an external source of electricity for motive power; and
is a light-, medium-, or heavy-duty motor vehicle or nonroad vehicle (as those terms are defined in section 7550 of this title).
Qualified electric transportation project
The term “qualified electric transportation project” means an electric transportation technology project that would significantly reduce emissions of criteria pollutants, greenhouse gas emissions, and petroleum, including—
shipside or shoreside electrification for vessels;
truck-stop electrification;
electric truck refrigeration units;
battery-powered auxiliary power units for trucks;
electric airport ground support equipment;
electric material and cargo handling equipment;
electric or dual-mode electric rail;
any distribution upgrades needed to supply electricity to the project; and
any ancillary infrastructure, including panel upgrades, battery chargers, in-situ transformers, and trenching.
Plug-in electric drive vehicle program
Establishment
Administration
Priority
In making awards under this subsection, the Secretary shall—
give priority consideration to applications that—
encourage early widespread use of vehicles described in paragraph (1); and
are likely to make a significant contribution to the advancement of the production of the vehicles in the United States; and
ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the program established under this subsection includes a variety of applications, manufacturers, and end-uses.
Reporting
Authorization of appropriations
Near-term transportation sector electrification program
In general
Priority
Authorization of appropriations
Education program
In general
The Secretary shall develop a nationwide electric drive transportation technology education program under which the Secretary shall provide—
teaching materials to secondary schools and high schools; and
assistance for programs relating to electric drive system and component engineering to institutions of higher education.
Electric vehicle competition
Engineers
In carrying out the program established under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide financial assistance to institutions of higher education to create new, or support existing, degree programs to ensure the availability of trained electrical and mechanical engineers with the skills necessary for the advancement of—
plug-in electric drive vehicles; and
other forms of electric drive transportation technology vehicles.