"Battery Maker Boston-Power Inc. Seeks $100 Million Federal Grant for U.S. Factory" Green Car Advisor

A Massachusetts-based laptop batteries manufacturer says it has developed a new lightweight, high-performance lithium-ion battery for plug-in hybrids and electric cars and is asking the federal government for funds to help produce it. The company, which is operating on $125 million in private investment capital, said the battery factory would not be built if the federal funds, from the advanced cattery and battery cell manufacturing grant program, are not forthcoming. As a result, Congress endowed the battery manufacturing grant program as part of the $787 billion economic recovery bill, and various state governments including Michigan and Kentucky have added their own battery manufacturing grant and loan programs in hopes of attracting new industry.