Energy Announces $74 Million to Strengthen Advanced Battery Manufacturing

Ten projects will receive a total of $76 million in funding from the Energy Department to develop emerging technologies around electric vehicle battery reuse and recycling, according to an agency announcement Thursday.

The Energy Department’s latest investments are designed to strengthen the production of advanced batteries that power electric vehicles. New and emerging technologies and means to recycle existing advanced electric vehicle batteries will reduce reliance on critical battery minerals, including lithium and graphite, which are expected to increase in cost by as much as 4,000% in coming years. According to DOE, improving the reuse and recycling of electric vehicle batteries will strengthen the nation’s energy dependence and reduce the odds of future reliance on “an unreliable foreign supply chain.”

“Recycling advanced batteries presents an enormous opportunity for America to support the creation of a secure and resilient domestic battery supply chain to reach our clean energy and transportation future,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said in a statement. “The historic investments of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are making it possible for cross-sector collaboration that will fuel America’s technological breakthroughs and eliminate our overreliance on other nations to meet our clean energy goals.”

Lawmakers from several states supported the funding announcement, including Sens. Catherine Cortez-Masto, D-Nev., and Gary Peters, D-Mi., as well as Rep. Michael Levin, D-Calif.

For a complete list of projects funded and descriptions, visit Energy’s factsheet website.