PUBLIC LAW 94-413—SEPT. 17, 1976 If the head of the agency involved determines that electric or hybrid vehicles are technologically practicable, but that they are not completely economically competitive with conventional vehicles, the Administrator may, for purposes of the demonstration program described in section 7, pay to such agency the incremental costs of the electric or hybrid vehicles, including differential operating costs. SEC. 12. PATENTS. Section 9 of the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5908) shall apply to any contract (including any assignment, substitution of parties, or subcontract thereunder), entered into, made, or issued by the Administrator pursuant to section 8 of this Act. SEC. 13. STUDIES. (a) The Administrator shall conduct a study to determine the existence of any tax, regulatory, traffic, urban design, rural electrical, or other institutional factor which tends or may tend to bias surface transportation systems toward vehicles of particular characteristics. The Administrator shall submit a report to the Congress on the findings and conclusions of such study, within 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act. The report shall include any legislative or other recommendations of the Administrator. (b) The Administrator shall conduct a continuing assessment of the long-range material demand and pollution effects which may result from or in connection with the electrification of urban traffic. Such assessment shall include a statement of the Administrator's current findings in each report submitted under section 14, Any environmental impact statement which may be filed under a Federal law with respect to research, development, or demonstration activities under this Act shall include reference to the matters which are subject to assessment \mder this subsection. (c) The Administrator shall perform, or cause to be performed, studies and research on incentives to promote broader utilization and consumer acceptance of electric and hybrid vehicle technologies. A description and a statement of the findings of such studies and research activities shall be included in each report submitted under section 14. (d) The Secretary shall conduct a study of the current and future applicability of safety standards and regulations to electric and hybrid vehicles. The Secretary shall report the results of such study to the Administrator and the Congress within 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. (e) The Administrator shall conduct a study to determine the overall effectiveness and feasibility of including regenerative braking systems on electric and other automobiles in order to recover energy. In such study the Administrator shall— (1) review the history of regenerative braking devices; (2) describe relevant experimental test data and theoretical calculations with respect to such devices; (3) assess the net energy impacts and cost effectiveness of such devices; (4) examine present patents and patent policy regarding such devices; and (5) determine whether regenerative braking should be used on some of the advanced electric or hybrid vehicles to be purchased or leased pursuant to section 7(c)(2). The Administrator shall submit a report to the Congress on the findings and conclusions of such study within 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
90 STAT. 1269
15 USC 2511.
15 USC 2512.
Report to Congress. Legislative recommendations. Material demand and pollution, assessment.
Report to Energy Research and Development Administration and Congress.
Report to Congress,
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