General Motors has received millions of dollars in federal funding from the US Department of Energy – a portion of which will go toward the development of an advanced solid-state battery for electric vehicles.
The Detroit-based automaker was given a total of $9.1 million by the US Department of Energy in 2019 for various “advanced vehicle technologies research” with $2 million of the funding earmarked to help fund the development of solid-state batteries.
Specifically, $1 million of the funding will go toward the “fundamental understanding of interfacial phenomena in solid-state batteries” while the remaining million dollars will help with the “hot pressing of reinforced all-solid-state batteries with sulfide glass electrolyte.”
A standard electric vehicle battery, such Chevrolet Bolt EV‘s, uses lithium-ions suspended in a liquid as the electrolyte, whereas a solid-state battery uses a conductive glass to substitute for the liquid. Batteries such as this hold as much as 2.5x the charge of a standard lithium battery, do not get as hot as a liquid battery, are lighter and are longer-lasting. They are extremely expensive and complicated to produce, however, making them unviable in automotive applications.
The remaining $7.1 million given to GM by the Department of Energy will go toward the development of a “low-mass and high-efficiency” engine that will be used in future medium-duty trucks. GM’s venerable 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 is currently used in its medium-duty trucks, but it seems as though it wants to develop a smaller, more efficient diesel or gas truck engine to replace it.
The Department of Energy’s announcement said development of the solid-state battery will take place in Warren, Michigan, presumably at GM’s Warren Technical Center. GM’s Global Propulsion Center in Pontiac, Michigan, meanwhile, will harbor development of the new medium-duty truck engine.
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Toyota is reported to be working on solid-state batteries too, but manufacturing difficulties may delay their introduction many years. The ‘low mass, high efficiency’ engine program is interesting, wouldn’t be surprised if Navistar and other partners are involved. Gas? Diesel? Or?
Why give GM money for this, GM doesn’t even have the ability to develop these type of technologies, it is beyond their scope. The government basically just gave GM 2 million for nothing.
Why don’t ? Do you want to see GM bankruptcy in business again and see the government bailout GM again ? Electric car is defiantly a future goal for all car manufactures, and many countries in the world won’t allow any ICE car. GM has many impressive techs to make great EVs. So, why we want GM make noting for electric vehicles ?
Hopefully you know GM has the largest battery lab in the US? The have partners, subsidiaries and joint ventures that do research. GM owns the battery chemistry for the Volt, Spark EV and Bolt EV. But, LG Chem produces the cells for them. There is more to GM and most car companies than just producing the latest 4 wheel widget. That is the final step, but there’s a lot more before that.
Why give GM money for an engine that will be obsolete in 5-10 years? Should be 7m for the batteries, more evidence the US is falling behind China.
Let me get this straight,, gm calls their employees family, then cans 15k people. Senior execs. Take a large bonus, then gets millions in tax.payers money for developing batteries.. gm is a multi billion dollar business
How about the top 10 Corp execs give up 1yr of bonus. Now you re-employeed 15k famiies and still have funding for batteries.
$22.5 Trillion in debt…
What’s another $2 million to a profitable corporation going to hurt? ??♂️
When you have the ability to produce the fiat currency for much of the world, debt doesn’t really matter much. Regardless of that, our debt to GDP ratio in Q1 of 2019 was 103%. Plenty of first world countries have higher ratios, and 103% is not even close to the record high for the US.
22 Trillion is a big scary number, but lets look at it in the context of the global economy and not as a stand-alone number.
TommyO
103% in a nation that’s been short changing its infrastructure, and whose savings rate is very low.
The real problem is we don’t have control over our own currency. Countries like China and Japan can buy & sell dollars at will. Driving the costs of U.S. made goods up or down. To benefit their own economies.
there have been plenty of countries who control their currency and found themselves in trouble.
in the last couple of weeks, look at argentina.
funny how republicans were wailing over deficits as obama dug us out of the great depression but they’ve gone mute and dumb when trump adds trillions to the debt with, according to him, the greatest economy ever.
You’re right. Washington has it all under control.
TommyO modern monetary theorizes. +1
The first battery shown is from the Chevy Volt, second generation, and it will not be built anymore. Use the preset Chevy Bolt EV battery instead, which is more compact (higher power density) and will be in use n newer EVs.
This is good, and necessary for advancing the BEV3 Architecture. GM is currently on top compared to other legacy automakers when it comes to EV’s, and they must maintain that lead. This will lead to more engineering jobs in America, which is crucial for expanding the economy.
Gen 2 Volt owner here.
So $2 million for needless delays.
$9 million subsidies for producing their polluting product they would have built anyways.
And we worry about the money helping poor people?
Soooooo lemme get this rite electric cars and motorcycles are green …. Rite ? ….. Ummmm so how are we charging these batteries ….wouldnt be by coal fired power plants …. That cause even more polution per kw then 1 gallon of fuel per mile …. So … How green is …. Green
Most electric buyers are in areas where the electricity is green produced. The myth that they are dirtier is exactly that; a myth.
If you’re so concerned, buy solar panels before you buy a BEV. Otherwise, you’re still less dirty than an ICE car and the operating cost is about 100x less; so donate that extra cash to some green cause instead of doing nothing because there is no panacea at the moment.
So the FACT that ot takes on average 40 gal of fuel and emits 340 kg of carbon dioxide on a 1000 mile trip …. Vs an ev that takes an average of 280 lbs of coal and emits 320 lb of carbon dioxide manufacture the energy needed to charge an ev for the same 1000 mike trip …. Is false correct … And the fact that wind or solar power arent efficent enuff YET nor is solar panel cheap by any means to have installed …. So again i ask … How green is green
Need to check your facts bud.
https://www.ucsusa.org/clean-vehicles/electric-vehicles/ev-emissions-tool
Also, a gas car will never get any greener, only more dirty. It’s now cheaper for power companies to build a solar plant than anything else, EVs only getting greener.
The grid is getting greener every year, there’s a map somewhere that tells you the mpg equivalent of your state. Most are above 50 mpg with some in the 100-200 mpg range. Gas engines served their purpose but are now headed the way of the horse and buggy.
Well now,
You must be getting on.
Even at 100% coal there’s still less lifetime emissions from ev’s the ice cars.
But then, there’s no 100% coal grid anywhere in u.s
But don’t let facts get in your way.
Dont get me wrong im not knocking an ev …. And i understand the days of gas vehicles will pass … Hell we mite end up with a real flux-capacitor some day … To me the tech just isn’t up to par to support all the claims beeing made by companies just yet … Slow charging short ranges … Hell that harley livewire theres not enuff infrastructure to run it on a long haul ride like a gas bike …. I applaude the fact that evs are trying …. Its just not enuff for me to give up an internal combustion engine just yet …. Im sure it will be forced into our lives at some point ….
80% charges in 15mins of 225 mi range for long trips when you need food or stretch your legs. Charging at home gives you a full “tank” every day. The time is here just have to accept the change. I know it’s hard.
So how does someone own one of these if they live in an apartment complex … Or rental home without tge ability to simply … Plug in at night …
A lot of work places are starting to offer EV charging as a perk. Also park n rides.. as well as public spaces like parks and malls.
Still not for everyone, or for ever situation.
I live in an apt complex that has garages. Can use PlugShare to find one near you.
I wonder how much money China gave GM?
Taxpayer funds! The government only has taxpayer funds to redistribute!