Battery Tech

Michigan leaders are announcing plans for tax credits to attract battery makers for electric and hybrid vehicles to the state. The incentives are designed to bolster the case for why Michigan companies should get a piece of $2 billion in federal stimulus money set aside for the development of advanced batteries. The U.S. now has no large-scale production plant for the lithium-ion battery, technology General Motors expects to power its Chevrolet Volt. Most battery technology is being developed in Asia. Tennessee, Kentucky, California and New York also are aggressively seeking the stimulus money. Gov. Jennifer Granholm wants Michigan to become the battery capital of the world.