Georgia has become one of the premier destinations for investment in electric vehicle production, and local battery researchers want to keep as many EV dollars in the state as possible.
In an innovation lab at Georgia State University, researcher Dr. David Noye walks around with his staff, his white coat on his back and his notes in his hands, as they run tests on their new battery.
The day is similar to many others at NanoResearch, an Atlanta-based tech company founded by Noye in 2005. The company is working to build the next generation of advanced batteries for the EV market.
Originally from Ghana, Noye has researched energy harvesting and storage in the United States for over a decade. Most recently, the tech entrepreneur has created a battery that has the potential to be a cheaper alternative to the lithium-ion batteries we widely use today.
“The cost, speed of charge, the availability; that is why this will disrupt the battery industry,” he said. “We want to have partners like Ford, GM, Tesla, Rivian, etc. [who] want to test our battery. So we make it ready for them to test it.”
There’s no guarantee that this battery will disrupt the industry or change the world, but NanoResearch has received funding from the Small Business Administration to scale up. That’s a sign that Nano, as well as similar local research groups, are getting support as they enter the EV sweepstakes.
“There are thousands of companies out there working on batteries,” said Matt McDowell, co-director of the Advanced Battery Center at Georgia Tech.
“To really kind of prove out the technology, you have to expand. You have to build much larger batteries, which is very challenging; actually, it takes a lot of time and people.”
According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, over the last three years, more than 45 projects have contributed over $25 billion in investments in the state.
McDowell says that was vital.
“It’s established Georgia as one of the premier places to make batteries and also make electric vehicles in the country, which is very exciting,” he said.
Last year, President Joe Biden signed a massive federal law aimed to combat climate change and promote domestic EV production.
In April, federal qualifications were revised to require automakers to manufacture EV battery packs here in North America, and source key battery materials from here or from countries with which the U.S. has free-trade agreements.
“A big emphasis with the federal government right now is to make sure that we have the right material resources that we need as a country to enable us to manufacture the batteries and electric vehicles that are projected to be needed over the next 10-20 year(s),” said McDowell.
If a car does not meet these requirements, a customer will not receive the full tax credit of $7,500, which is a key selling point for EVs here.
More from NPR: The $7,500 tax credit for electric cars will see big changes in 2024. What to know
The auto industry responded with, “Hold my battery.”
In September, Georgia Tech announced a partnership with Hyundai Motor Group to support further battery and vehicle research.
Battery manufacturers that produce for Hyundai, such as SK and LG Energy Solutions, have already laid down plans to build battery plants here in the next few years.
“I call it keeping the money in Georgia,” said James Marlowe, president of Southface Institute, a nonprofit that promotes sustainable solutions.
“In Bryan County near Savannah, or in Conyers, Covington around Rivian, or up in Commerce with SK Innovation and making batteries that will go into Volkswagens and Ford F-150 Lightning pickups.”
Although these advancements seem to come without difficulties, several issues remain, like the charging infrastructure, affordability of electric vehicles and finding the resources needed to fulfill our battery needs.
However, Marlowe claims that despite these problems, Georgia is still at the top in becoming a key player for a whole new Battery Belt emerging nationwide.
“All these things are connected together: the strengthening our economy and becoming energy independent and energy secure within our state.”
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