Clean transportation nonprofit consortium CALSTART has opened PowerForward, California’s grant program for EV battery manufacturing infrastructure.
The program is funded by the California Energy Commission, which will provide up to $35 million in grants. It is implemented by CALSTART in partnership with New Energy Nexus, Lawrence Berkeley Lab and Yunev.
PowerForward focuses on environmental impact, community engagement and workforce development. It is designed to attract and retain the manufacture of batteries for EVs in California, to economically benefit local communities and priority populations and to foster a California battery supply-chain ecosystem.
The grant solicitation is open to private, for-profit businesses with projects in California through July 1, 2024. Priority will be given to those hiring in disadvantaged and low-income communities. The project must fit into one of two categories: cathodes (cathodes; cathode active materials) or batteries (material processing; cell components; cell manufacturing; module, packs, and battery management system; remanufacturing and recycling).
Projects are eligible for awards of up to 50% of total costs. In each category, the minimum possible award is $5 million and the maximum is $17.5 million.
Source: CALSTART
