Johnson Controls Readies Advanced Battery Production in U.S.

Milwaukee Business Journal (8/28, Rovito) – Full-scale production of lithium-ion cells and battery systems could begin by early 2011, said Alex Molinaroli, president of Glendale-based Johnson Controls’ Power Solutions business. Preliminary assembly operations could begin as early as summer 2010… The U.S. Department of Energy awarded Johnson Controls a $299 million grant in federal stimulus funds to produce advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles. The award represents about half the company’s $600 million planned investment in domestic advanced battery manufacturing capacity and infrastructure development.

In April, Johnson Controls and its joint venture partner Saft announced that Michigan had awarded them $148.5 million in incentives to establish a U.S. manufacturing plant for lithium-ion cells and complete hybrid battery systems at the Holland plant. The Michigan factory will serve the company’s global customers, including Ford Motor Co., for its first plug-in hybrid car for 2012; Azure Dynamics, for its 2010 launch of the next generation hybrid electric commercial vehicle; Daimler AG; and BMW…About 15 million lithium-ion battery cells will be produced annually at the Holland plant. A battery system for a vehicle typically includes about 100 cells.