MICH OPENS BIGGEST EV BATTERY PLANT

North America's largest plant for lithium-ion auto batteries opens in Livonia
Zlati Meyer, September 14, 2010 (Detroit Free Press)

"President Barack Obama congratulated A123 Systems…on opening the largest lithium-ion automotive battery manufacturing plant on the continent during a surprise phone call at the grand opening…Gov. Jennifer Granholm…U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Michigan members of Congress…also addressed the hundreds of employees and guests…[T]he president explained that this is about the country's future…[and] the next generation of cars…

"A123 Systems received a $249-million U.S. Department of Energy grant as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and $125 million in state incentives from the 21st Century Job Fund…Granholm said…\that in the future, 40% of battery manufacturing, previously largely in Asia, will take place in America -- and most of that in Michigan."

click to enlarge

"An estimated 300 people work at the 291,000-square-foot building…formerly a videotape-dubbing facility… A123 Systems expects to bring thousands of new jobs to Michigan when it expands…"

The 20Ah Prismatic cell; 300-to-400 power a car. (click to enlarge)

"The [plant opening] was heralded as a sign that manufacturing isn't dead in Michigan, that public-private partnerships are the answer in today's global marketplace and that America is on its way to ending the country's dependence on foreign oil…

"The company makes a prismatic cell, a thin white rectangular battery about the size of a license plate, that produces 20 amp hours and 66 watt hours, said Jason Forcier, vice president of A123 Systems' Automotive Solutions Group division. An estimated 300 to 400 prismatic cells are needed for one electric car battery pack…The cost of a typical hybrid plug-in battery is $10,000-$12,000, a price expected to be halved within four years, he explained. A123 Systems will be able to make up to 1 million a month, enough to accommodate 30,000 vehicles a year…"