The agency expects to allocate about $6 billion – to be matched by industry – to developing infrastructure, from mining and processing core battery components to recycling.

As the Biden Admin. advances into its second 100 days and already is running into roadblocks with its infrastructure plan, the U.S. finds itself so far behind China in batteries that anything which might disrupt trade between the two countries could slow if not derail the U.S. economic recovery.

John Moore, CEO of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, predicts renewables will comprise 69% of global power generation by 2050 and, to reach that level, will require nearly $29 trillion in investments in power generation, batteries and the power grid.

China and South Korea currently boast the largest shares of recycled batteries, estimated at slightly less than 70% and 20%, respectively, followed by Europe at slightly more than 10%.

The Energy Dept.’s battery materials research activities comprise 56 projects covering seven themes including liquid polymers, solid-state electrolyte materials, metallic lithium, sulfur electrodes, air electrodes, sodium-ion batteries plus modeling and diagnostics.

Vancouver, Canada-based Ballard details robust plans for global expansion of its fuel-cell business in the coming 1-2 years.