(The Center Square) – A Southfield-based electric vehicle project will receive $60 million of federal funding for battery research seeking wide-scale EV adoption.
The United States Advanced Battery Consortium LLC, a collaboration between General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co., and Stellantis N.V., will focus on boosting the performance and manufacturing capabilities of batteries.
The funding aims to extend the range of EVs – a barrier to adoption along with a sparse charging network and expensive upfront cost, opponents say.
The consortium will focus on R&D for EV batteries with enhanced performance; EV batteries using earth-abundant and domestically available battery materials; light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle batteries; and more cost-efficient battery recycling processes.
A previous study said, “What to do with all these retired electric vehicle batteries is going to be a huge issue.”
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy David M. Turk welcomed the news.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is helping drive forward the innovation and research needed to provide clean, cheap and accessible transportation solutions for all Americans,” Turk said in a statement. “The investments announced today will supercharge the development of a convenient and reliable EV network, and expand the domestic battery supply chain—securing our nation’s energy independence and spurring economic opportunity.”
Selection for award negotiations is doesn’t mean the project will receive funding. The Energy Department and the applicants will first undergo a negotiation and and may rescind the selection for any reason.
The U.S. Department of Energy announced more than $131 million for projects to advance research and development in electric vehicle batteries and charging systems.
The advanced battery consortium will work toward decarbonizing transportation. Michigan is currently about 1.9 million EVs short of reaching its 2030 goal of 2 million registered EVs.
Michigan Chief Infrastructure Officer Zachary Kolodin said the funding is an “investment” in the auto industry and good-paying middle-class jobs.
“Michigan’s expertise in automotive manufacturing put the world on wheels and today we are seeing that same innovation shine through as we remain at the forefront of developing cutting-edge EV technologies,” Kolodin said in a statement.
Other Michigan projects that receive funding include:
Western Michigan University and Ricardo Inc. in Van Buren Township will receive $3.2 million and $5 million respectively to develop innovative and clean options for advanced integrated on-board charging systems.MAHLE Powertrain LLC in Plymouth will receive $3.5 million to develop sustainable materials for hydrogen combustion engines.The University of Michigan will receive $1 million to support research and development of novel lightweight materials for EVs.
Michigan has secured more than $150 million through Charge Up Michigan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support the transition to EVs.
