As soon as practicable after December 19, 2007, the Secretary of Energy shall establish a program to determine ways in which the weight of motor vehicles could be reduced to improve fuel efficiency without compromising passenger safety by conducting research, development, and demonstration relating to-
(1) the development of new materials (including cast metal composite materials formed by autocombustion synthesis) and material processes that yield a higher strength-to-weight ratio or other properties that reduce vehicle weight; and
(2) reducing the cost of-
(A) lightweight materials (including high-strength steel alloys, aluminum, magnesium, metal composites, and carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites) with the properties required for construction of lighter-weight vehicles; and
(B) materials processing, automated manufacturing, joining, and recycling lightweight materials for high-volume applications.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $80,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
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Section effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of