In January, the DOE is expected to make around $56 million in new funding available for transportation-related R&D projects. The Vehicle Technologies Program Wide Funding Opportunity Announcement describes how organizations can apply for grants to support the development of such vehicle technologies as advanced batteries, power electronics and electric motors.

Areas of Interest include:

• EV Everywhere PEV and Infrastructure Showcases. Establish pilot PEV customer showcases in high-traffic areas where OEMs, dealers, electricity providers, and infrastructure providers can provide education to consumers and other potential EV buyers.
• Grid Modernization for EVs. Demonstrate grid modernization technologies for a smooth transition to the mass adoption of EVs, including grid-based load control technology using vehicle-to-grid (V2G) communication.
• Accelerated Development and Deployment of Low-Cost Automotive Magnesium (Mg) Sheet Components. Demonstrate a magnesium sheet component at a manufacturing cost of less than $2.50 per pound of weight saved.
• Production of Low Cost Electric Drive Vehicle Motors. Develop advanced electric machine technologies with a focus on motor design, material, and production pathways to significantly lower cost.
• Advanced High-Voltage Electrolytes and Additives, Solid State Electrolytes and Lithium Metal Protection. Develop advanced electrolytes and additives that are stable above 4.3 V; conformable and self-healing solid state electrolytes; and novel approaches to protect the metallic lithium electrode from dendrite formation.
• Advanced Battery Component Material Diagnostics. Develop in situ microscopy and spectroscopy tools to identify physical and chemical changes of Li battery components during charging and discharging.
• Advanced Battery Materials Modeling. Develop advanced models to assess emerging Li-ion and beyond Li-ion systems in order to understand the challenges impeding their full potential.

Source: DOE via Green Car Congress