S. 1085 would authorize the appropriation of $1,698 million over the 2020-2024 period for the Department of Energy to conduct research and development (R&D) on advanced energy technologies for vehicles. Under the bill, those R&D programs would focus on technologies that could reduce vehicle emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, including measures that may increase energy efficiency and support the use of alternative fuels, such as electricity, natural gas, and hydrogen. It also would authorize R&D on advanced manufacturing methods and practices for the production of batteries, fuel cells, materials, and storage systems.
Based on historical spending patterns for similar activities, and assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO estimates that implementing S. 1085 would cost $1,102 million over the 2019-2024 period. The costs of the legislation (detailed in Table 1) fall within budget function 270 (energy).