WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. Harold E. Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.), has offered an amendment to the recently passed U.S. Energy Policy Act, H.R. 6, that will provide the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency funding to promote hybrid vehicle usage. The amendment, which has been approved by voice vote, is in addition to House Energy and Commerce Committee hybrid vehicle provisions.
The amendment will allow for $3 billion in funding over the next 10 years, beginning in 2006, to provide incentives to automakers to increase production of hybrids and other alternative fuel vehicles. The amendment also provides consumer incentives, including discounts and rebates, for the purchase of hybrid vehicles. The amendment only authorizes the program; it does not fund it. The funding will be subject to the congressional appropriations approval process.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Energy Policy Act of 2005 by a vote of 249 to 183.
The Automotive Service Association has been vocal about superior warranties for hybrid vehicles, said Bob Redding, the Automotive Service Association’s Washington, D.C., representative.
“We believe the bill language reiterates the degree lawmakers are encouraging vehicle manufacturers to move to hybrid production,” said Redding. “The recent activity in the Washington State legislature also is indicative of the increasing public policy urging the use of hybrid vehicles at all costs including vehicle warranties that go beyond the reasonable. At ASA’s recent annual business meeting in Fort Worth, Texas, ASA’s leadership made it clear that the super warranty issues should be the independent repair sector’s top priority.”
The hybrid provisions of the bill can be accessed on the home page of ASA’s legislative Web site, www.TakingTheHill.com.
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