---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 13281"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "13281"
heading: "Program and solicitation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/13281"
units:
  - "Chapter 134 — Energy Policy"
  - "Subchapter IV — Electric Motor Vehicles"
  - "Part A — Electric Motor Vehicle Commercial Demonstration Program"
---

# §13281. Program and solicitation

- (a) **Program—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) shall conduct a program to demonstrate [electric motor vehicles](/usc/42/13271.md?p=4) and the [associated equipment](/usc/42/13271.md?p=2) of such vehicles, in consultation with the Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Program Site Operators, manufacturers, the electric utility industry, and such other persons as the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) considers appropriate. Such program shall be—
  - (1) designed to accelerate the development and use of [electric motor vehicles](/usc/42/13271.md?p=4); and
  - (2) structured to evaluate the performance of such [electric motor vehicles](/usc/42/13271.md?p=4) in field operation, including [fleet](/usc/42/13211.md?p=9) operation, and evaluate the necessary supporting infrastructure.
- (b) **Solicitation—**
  - (1) Not later than 18 months after October 24, 1992, the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) shall solicit proposals to demonstrate [electric motor vehicles](/usc/42/13271.md?p=4) and [associated equipment](/usc/42/13271.md?p=2) in one or more [eligible metropolitan areas](/usc/42/13271.md?p=6). The [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) may make additional solicitations for proposals if the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) determines that such solicitations are necessary to carry out this part.
  - (2)
    - (A) Solicitations for proposals under this subsection shall require the [proposer](/usc/42/13271.md?p=10) to include a description, including the manufacturer or manufacturers of the [electric motor vehicles](/usc/42/13271.md?p=4); the proposed users of the [electric motor vehicles](/usc/42/13271.md?p=4); the [eligible metropolitan area](/usc/42/13271.md?p=6) or areas involved; the number of [electric motor vehicles](/usc/42/13271.md?p=4) to be demonstrated and their type, characteristics, and [life-cycle](/usc/42/17061.md?p=14) costs; the [price differential](/usc/42/13271.md?p=11); the proposed [discount payment](/usc/42/13271.md?p=3); the contributions of [State](/usc/42/2021b.md?p=14) or local governments and other persons to the demonstration [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2); the type of [associated equipment](/usc/42/13271.md?p=2) to be demonstrated; the [domestic](/usc/42/13211.md?p=7) content of the [electric motor vehicles](/usc/42/13271.md?p=4) and [associated equipment](/usc/42/13271.md?p=2); and any other information the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) considers appropriate.
    - (B) If the proposal includes a lease arrangement, the proposal shall indicate the terms of such lease arrangement for the [electric motor vehicles](/usc/42/13271.md?p=4) or [associated equipment](/usc/42/13271.md?p=2).
  - (3) The solicitation for proposals under this subsection shall establish a closing date for receipt of proposals. The [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) may, if necessary, extend the closing date for receipt of proposals for a period not to exceed 90 days.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 102–486, title VI, § 611, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 2900.)