Approval has been granted for the restart of a natural gas vehicle research and development programme at the Department of Energy.

Under the terms of HR 1622, which was recently approved by the US House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, there will be a five-year programme of natural gas vehicle research, development and demonstration. The Secretary of Energy must also co-ordinate with the natural gas vehicle industry regarding streamlined certification of natural gas conversion systems to federal certification requirements and emission standards.

The research and development programme will focus on improving and developing cleaner, more efficient natural gas vehicles; integrating those engines into vehicles for both on-road and off-road applications; and expanding product availability by assisting manufacturers with the certification of engines or vehicles.

The bill also prompts the continued development and improvement of nationally recognised codes and standards for the continued safe operation of the vehicles; improvement in the reliability and efficiency of their fuelling station infrastructure; and the certification of natural gas fuelling station infrastructure to nationally recognised and industry safety standards.  

The fuels supported under the scheme will include compressed natural gas; mixtures of hydrogen and methane or natural gas; biomethane; and liquefied natural gas.

If passed, the bill would authorise appropriations of $30million each for the five fiscal years – $150million in total.