U.S. Department of Energy Awards $175 Million for Domestic Solid-State EV Battery Gigafactories

WASHINGTON, DC — Catalyzing the next technological leap in commercial electric vehicle performance and securing domestic clean energy supply chains, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) announced $175 million in Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO) grant awards on Monday, funding three commercial manufacturing scale-up facilities for next-generation solid-state electric vehicle batteries across the Midwest and Southeast.

The federal matching grants support the commercial transition from laboratory prototypes to pilot gigafactory production lines for solid-state lithium-metal cells. By replacing flammable liquid electrolytes with solid ceramic and polymer separators, solid-state battery technology achieves an energy density of over 450 watt-hours per kilogram—delivering electric passenger vehicles with a 600-mile single-charge driving range, ultra-fast 10-minute 80% charging capabilities, and zero risk of thermal runaway fires under extreme impact conditions.

Domestic Manufacturing Scale-Up in the Automotive Heartland

The funding packages provide direct capital matching funds to domestic battery innovators partnering with major automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Selected manufacturing facilities include:

• Michigan Solid-State Gigafactory Pilot ($70 Million): Constructing an automated continuous roll-to-roll ceramic separator coating facility in Detroit, partnering with General Motors to produce 50,000 solid-state vehicle battery packs annually.
• Ohio Advanced Cathode Fabrication Plant ($60 Million): Installing dry-electrode manufacturing lines and lithium-metal anode assembly cleanrooms in Lordstown, Ohio, reducing manufacturing energy consumption by 40%.
• North Carolina Solid Electrolyte Synthesis Facility ($45 Million): Building a commercial chemical synthesis plant in Greensboro, North Carolina, to refine sulfide-based solid electrolyte powders from domestic mineral feedstocks.

"The future of automotive transportation will be defined by battery technology, and America is determined to lead the world in manufacturing the next generation of safe, ultra-dense solid-state batteries," Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm stated. "These AMMTO investments create thousands of skilled manufacturing jobs in the automotive heartland and ensure American automakers build the longest-range, safest electric vehicles on the planet."

United Auto Workers and Automotive Industry Endorse

The United Auto Workers (UAW) and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation strongly commended the manufacturing grants, noting that establishing domestic solid-state battery supply chains protects American manufacturing supremacy.

"Solid-state battery technology is the holy grail of electric mobility, eliminating range anxiety and fire hazards for consumers," said John Bozzella, President of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. "Federal cost-share partnerships accelerate the commercialization timeline by five years, keeping American auto workers at the cutting edge of global transportation innovation."

Labor leaders praised the inclusion of binding domestic sourcing requirements and union workforce training partnerships with regional community colleges.

Production Line Commissioning Schedule

Cleanroom construction and automated roll-to-roll manufacturing tooling installation will commence in January 2027. Pilot commercial solid-state battery cell production for automotive integration testing will begin in late 2027.