U.S. DOE Launches $43 Million Initiative To Further Advance EV Battery Technology
The DOE’s Funding Targets Areas In Propelling Research, Development, Demonstration, And Deployment In EV Battery Technology
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled a new $43 million funding initiative aimed at propelling research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) in critical areas of advanced electric vehicle (EV) battery technology.
In detail, this investment by the DOE is set to drive innovation in the EV sector, focusing on improving battery performance, safety, and manufacturing processes. As this funding is administered through the DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), it also aligns with the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, a comprehensive strategy to eliminate emissions from the transportation sector by 2050.
According to the DOE, these are the five key areas have been identified for the fiscal year 2024 funding:
- Improving 12V lead-acid batteries: $10 million will be allocated to enhance the life and performance of these batteries while reducing costs.
- Enhancing EV safety: $3.9 million is earmarked for developing strategies to mitigate thermal issues that could lead to vehicle fires.
- Reducing manufacturing costs: $12.5 million will support research to decrease electrode, cell, or pack manufacturing costs by at least 30% and increase throughput by 50% compared to current standards.
- Advancing silicon-based lithium batteries: Another $12.5 million is dedicated to researching, fabricating, and testing silicon-based cells that meet EV performance requirements.
- Developing high-energy-density cathodes: $4.05 million will fund the development of cathodes containing metal chalcogenide, oxide, or halide materials that surpass the energy density of state-of-the-art nickel cathodes.
Moreover, the DOE actively encourages participation from underserved communities and underrepresented groups in STEM fields, promoting diversity in project teams.
DOE’s Investments Of EV Battery Sector
Furthermore, this initiative follows a larger $3.5 billion funding round announced in November last year to boost domestic battery production, spotlighting the DOE’s goal to establish a strong U.S.-based supply chain for EV components. Notably, the DOE recently reported a 90% cut in lithium-ion battery pack costs for light-duty EVs between 2008 and 2023, showing the progress from effort lie this from the DOE and the overall EV industry.
By advancing battery technologies for safe and efficient zero-emission EVs, the focus on cost reduction, performance improvement, and safety enhancement aims to accelerate the widespread EV adoption while contributing to the nation’s broader decarbonization goals. Applications for these grants will be accepted until the end of October, with funding projected to be distributed between March and June 2025.
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