A Request for Information (RFI) has been issued by the US Biden-Harris Administration, through the US Department of Energy (DOE), to help guide the implementation of $335 million in investments in the lithium-ion battery industry.
The DOE is requesting feedback on how federal investments can accelerate the collection, transportation, processing, and recycling of batteries and scrap materials and enable second-life applications of used electric vehicle lithium-ion battery packs.
This RFI builds and expands on the DOE’s May 2022 announcement of $3.16 billion in funding from president Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
That cash included $3.1 billion for battery materials refining and production plants, battery cell and pack manufacturing facilities, and recycling facilities, and $60 million to support second-life applications for batteries once used to power electric vehicles, and new processes for recycling materials back into the battery supply chain.
US secretary of energy Jennifer M. Granholm. said: “Battery recycling doesn’t just remove harmful waste from our environment; it also strengthens domestic manufacturing by placing used materials back into the supply chain.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is making big investments in our clean energy and transportation future and securing our supply chain here at home will allow more Americans to benefit from the many clean technologies powered by lithium batteries.”
The DOE is working with the industry to build a robust and sustainable US battery supply chain that will support increased market demand.
The DOE is seeking feedback from industry, recyclers, retailers, community organisations, tribes, and state and local governments to ensure future funding opportunities address the energy and transportation needs of all Americans.
Responses to the RFI are due on 14 October by 5 pm US Eastern Time.