Valence Technology just announced that it has applied for $608 million worth of low-interest federal loans from the U.S. Energy Department’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive. If it receives the loans, it plans to use them to build a $760 million manufacturing plant near Austin, Texas. The planned plant would be able to supply lithium batteries for over 250,000 electric and hyrbrid vehicles each year.
Robert Kanode, Valence’s president and CEO, commented on the loan … Read the rest
The New York Times reports that General Motors (GM) will make lithium batteries for its much-anticipated Chevy Volt in Michigan, instead of making the batteries overseas. If the new plant goes forward as planned, GM will be the first automaker to produce these batteries inside the US. Since concerns have been raised about America potentially becoming dependent on foreign companies for batteries just as we are dependent on them for oil today, this announcement is … Read the rest
Valence Technology, Inc announced today that the Opposition Board of the European Patent Office has revoked the University of Texas’ European patent for lithium metal phosphates on the basis of lack of novelty. This decision is good news for Valence because it allows the company to further develop and market its own proprietary lithium iron magnesium phosphate cathode material for electric car batteries. However, UT could choose to appeal the decision.
Altair (ALTI) the lithium battery maker for electric cars reported another quarterly loss of .07/share but beat estimates by a couple pennies on revenue of 1.9 million (vs consensus of 1.65 million).
Today, the company also announced a $350,000 contract with the US Army to deliver prototype batteries for use in the Army’s M119 105mm lightweight gun digitization program. Altair’s batteries can operate in extreme conditions with rapid charging capabilities and a long life.