Bill To Extend Federal Advance Vehicle Loans to 3-Wheelers Wins Approval
By John O'Dell October 16, 2009
The Senate has approved a measure directing the Energy Department to extend advanced vehicle research and development funding programs to manufacturers of three-wheeled vehicles as well as to the conventional car and truck industries.
The bill, already approved by the House, now goes to the President for his signature.
To qualify, three-wheelers would have to meet the federal safety standards applied to four-wheel vehicles.
The measure was spurred by lobbying from companies such as Aptera that are developing fuel-efficient, lightweight and often sporty three-wheel passenger vehicles.
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Aptera prototypes at assembly plant in Southern California early this year.
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It expands eligibility for the federal advanced tech vehicle loan program to include fully enclosed vehicles designed to carry at least two adults and that average at least 75 miles per gallon or the equivalent.
The Energy Department also would have to reconsider applications filed last year that were rejected because the vehicles didn't qualify.
Aptera has said it has taken more than 4,000 deposits ($500 each) for its Aptera 2e battery-electric three-wheeler and has applied for a $75 million low-interest loan from the federal program to help it begin mass production next year.
Another company that applied last year and was rebuked is Elio Motors, which has said it plans to start marketing a narrow, gasoline-powered three-wheeler by the spring of 2011.
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Yeah. Finally Washington is doing something smart and in a timely fashion, without bowing to the pressures of the big three suits.
(Oh yeah, Washington owns GM now... so doesn't have to listen).
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