PROGRAM FOR RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEPLOYMENT OF ADVANCED GROUND VEHICLES, GROUND VEHICLE SYSTEMS, AND COMPONENTS.

SEC. 214. PROGRAM FOR RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEPLOYMENT OF ADVANCED GROUND VEHICLES, GROUND VEHICLE SYSTEMS, AND COMPONENTS.(a) Program Authorized.—The Secretary of Defense may carry out a program for research and development on, and deployment of, advanced technology ground vehicles, ground vehicle systems, and components within the Department of Defense.(b) Goals and Objectives.—The goals and objectives of the program authorized by subsection (a) are as follows:(1) To identify and support technological advances that are necessary for the development of advanced technologies for use in ground vehicles of types to be used by the Department of Defense.(2) To procure and deploy significant quantities of advanced technology ground vehicles for use by the Department.(3) To maximize the leverage of Federal and nongovernment funds used for the development and deployment of advanced technology ground vehicles, ground vehicle systems, and components.(c) Elements of Program.—The program authorized by subsection (a) may include—(1) enhanced research and development activities for advanced technology ground vehicles, ground vehicle systems, and components, including—(A) increased investments in research and development of batteries, advanced materials, power electronics, fuel cells and fuel cell systems, hybrid systems, and advanced engines;(B) pilot projects for the demonstration of advanced technologies in ground vehicles for use by the Department of Defense; and(C) the establishment of public-private partnerships, including research centers, manufacturing and prototyping facilities, and test beds, to speed the development, deployment, and transition to use of advanced technology ground vehicles, ground vehicle systems, and components; and(2) enhanced activities to procure and deploy advanced technology ground vehicles in the Department, including—(A) preferences for the purchase of advanced technology ground vehicles;(B) the use of authorities available to the Secretary of Defense to stimulate the development and production of advanced technology systems and ground vehicles through purchases, loan guarantees, and other mechanisms;(C) pilot programs to demonstrate advanced technology ground vehicles and associated infrastructure at select defense installations;(D) metrics to evaluate environmental and other benefits, life cycle costs, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the deployment of advanced technology ground vehicles; and124 STAT. 4165(E) schedules and objectives for the conversion of the ground vehicle fleet of the Department to advanced technology ground vehicles.(d) Cooperation With Industry and Academia.—(1) In general.—The Secretary may carry out the program authorized by subsection (a) through partnerships and other cooperative agreements with private sector entities, including—(A) universities and other academic institutions;(B) companies in the automobile and truck manufacturing industry;(C) companies that supply systems and components to the automobile and truck manufacturing industry; and(D) any other companies or private sector entities that the Secretary considers appropriate.(2) Nature of cooperation.—The Secretary shall ensure that any partnership or cooperative agreement under paragraph (1) provides for private sector participants to collectively contribute, in cash or in kind, not less than one-half of the total cost of the activities carried out under such partnership or cooperative agreement.(e) Coordination With Other Federal Agencies.—The program authorized by subsection (a) shall be carried out, to the maximum extent practicable, in coordination with the Department of Energy and other appropriate departments and agencies of the Federal Government.