U.S. Manufacturers and Suppliers form Auto Battery Alliance

Not to be outdone by the Japanese automakers’ government-funded battery research, leading auto battery developers and materials suppliers in the U.S. are forming a coalition under a new government funded project.

The “Alliance” is formally called National Alliance for Advanced Transportation Battery Cell Manufacture. Its purpose is manufacturing advanced lithium ion battery cells for future electric cars and military vehicles. Currently, U.S. automakers rely on foreign suppliers for the battery packs used in hybrid and electric vehicles. The Alliance predicts that lithium ion batteries will eventually replace gasoline as the main source of energy in future vehicles.

The group will jointly develop manufacturing and prototype development centers that will ultimately manufacture advanced battery cells. The investment required will be $1- to 2 billion over five years, and is expected to come mainly from the federal government. The Alliance will ensure the most effective use of government resources by allowing members to share in the use of a large ultra-modern manufacturing facility.

Domestic automakers and Department of Defense representatives will be invited to serve on the Alliance’s advisory board. The advisory board will assist the cell makers in aspects of standardized that will streamline manufacture and ultimately lower the costs of cells.

Source: Argonne National Laboratory