CALSTART, a global clean transportation nonprofit, is awarding a total of $43 million to three recipients through the PowerForward Battery Manufacturing Grant Program. A total of 14 applications were submitted during the solicitation period in April. The three recommended recipients are:

• Sparkz, Inc.
• Sepion Technologies Inc.
• South 8 Technologies, Inc. [in partnership with Nanotech Energy, Inc.]

Sepion Technologies released a statement earlier this month announcing plans to build a lithium-ion battery separator manufacturing facility in the Capitol Innovation District with its grant.

Sparkz celebrated the news of earning PowerForward funds with the grand opening of its Sacramento manufacturing facility; this site will serve as the project location for Sparkz’s PowerForward project.

South 8 will expand manufacturing of its LiGas electrolyte in San Diego. Together with partner Nanotech Energy, South 8 will then integrate a LiGas injection system into Nanotech’s battery cell production facility in Chico to provide LiGas battery cells for zero-emission vehicles and other applications.

PowerForward is California’s equity-first, market-accelerating, ZEV battery-manufacturing infrastructure grant program that is funded by the California Energy Commission and implemented by CALSTART, in partnership with New Energy Nexus, Lawrence Berkeley Lab, and Yunev. It aims to lead the equitable transition to a green economy by setting a standard for domestic battery manufacturing that focuses on environmental impact, community engagement, and workforce development.

In April 2024, CALSTART released a grant solicitation and application packet that offered funds for in-state manufacturing of batteries and related components for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). The proposed projects were required to fit into one of two major categories: Cathodes (Cathodes; Cathode Active Materials) or Batteries (Material Processing; Cell Components; Cell Manufacturing; Module, Packs, and Battery Management System; Remanufacturing & Recycling). Both categories offer a maximum of $17.5 million in funding. After an evaluation of 14 applications, three were recommended to receive funding.