Battery company Zenlabs Energy has received a $4.8-million contract from the US Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) to develop low-cost, fast-charging batteries. The goal of the contract is to develop optimized cell designs and a scalable pre-Li method for high-capacity silicon oxide anodes. The 50 percent share contract funds a 30-month project.

USABC is a subsidiary of the United States Council for Automotive Research (USCAR), an organization that includes Fiat Chrysler, Ford and GM.

“The low-cost/fast-charge technology development contract award with Zenlabs is part of USABC’s broad battery technology research and development program,” said Steve Zimmer, Executive Director of USCAR. “Programs like this are critical to advancing the technology needed to meet both near- and long-term goals that will enable broader scale vehicle electrification.”

Source: USCAR