The US Department of Energy has launched the Battery Manufacturing Accelerator, known as BattMan. This program aims to build a domestic battery supply chain by 2030 and secure US leadership in manufacturing by 2035. The initiative focuses on reducing production costs and accelerating the transition of new battery technologies from laboratory research to commercial deployment.
The consortium includes several national laboratories, such as the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, alongside multiple universities. The National Laboratory of the Rockies will contribute by developing machine learning models to analyze battery cell performance and defects, aiming to streamline the validation process for manufacturers.
The Department of Energy projects that US battery demand for transportation and energy storage will grow from 179 GWh in 2025 to 707 GWh by 2035. This initiative follows previous federal support for the sector, including a $4,5 billion loan guarantee for a Rivian factory in Georgia.
In a separate development, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner and President Donald Trump announced plans for a $4 billion Audi manufacturing facility in Peach County, Georgia. The project is currently awaiting approval from the supervisory board of Volkswagen, the parent company of Audi.
