Electric Drive Vehicle Batteries

a. Electric Drive Vehicle Batteries This subtopic seeks applications for research to develop electrochemical energy storage technologies that support commercialization of micro, mild, and full Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), and Electric Vehicles (EVs). Some specific improvements of interest to be considered in this subtopic include the following: New low-cost materials for HEVs, PHEVs, and EVs. Alternatives to or recycling technologies for critical materials [1] for energy storage. High voltage and high temperature non-carbonate electrolytes. Improvements in manufacturing processes, specifically the production of mixed metal oxide cathode materials through the elimination or optimization of the calcination step to reduce cost and improve throughput, speed, or yield. Novel Solid Electrolyte Interphase stabilization techniques for silicon anodes. Improved cell/pack design minimizing inactive material. Significant improvement in specific energy (Wh/kg) or energy density (Wh/L); and improved safety. Applications must clearly demonstrate how they advance the current state of the art in electric drive vehicle batteries and meet the relevant performance metrics listed at www.uscar.org/guest/article_view.php?articles_id=85 [2]. When appropriate, the technology should be evaluated in accordance with applicable test procedures or recommended practices as published by DOE and the U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC). These test procedures can be found at www.uscar.org/guest/article_view.php?articles_id=86 [3]. Phase I feasibility studies must be evaluated in full cells (not half-cells) greater than 200 milliamp-hours (mAh) in size while Phase II technologies should be demonstrated in full cells greater than 2 Ah. Applications will be deemed non-responsive if the proposed technology is high cost; requires substantial infrastructure investments or industry standardization to be commercially viable; and/or cannot accept high power recharge pulses from regenerative breaking or has other characteristics that prohibit market penetration. Research sought through this subtopic supports DOE's Energy Storage Grand Challenge, a comprehensive program to accelerate the development, commercialization, and utilization of next-generation energy storage technologies and sustain American global leadership in energy storage. In addition, the subtopic supports for the objectives of the Critical Minerals Initiative to reduce both the costs of critical materials and the environmental impacts of production to create a sustainable critical-materials supply chain in the United States. Questions Contact: Simon Thompson, Simon.Thompson@ee.doe.gov