Last month an effort was announced by fourteen U.S. technology companies to develop advanced battery manufacturing capabilities in the U.S. The batteries will be lithium ion and targeted for hybrid and electric vehicles.

Seeing the strategic importance of securing a battery supply and developing technological expertise, the companies are trying to secure $1 billion in federal aid to build a manufacturing plant. Firms involved in the effort include Johnson Controls, Enersys, 3M co., Mobius Power, FMC and ActaCell. While some of the technical know-how behind advanced batteries has been developed in the U.S., the manufacturing has migrated overseas to countries like China where, according to the article, over four dozen advanced battery factories are being built.

In a related story, GM has also identified battery manufacturing as a core competency and is planning to build their own lithium ion battery plant to supply their Volt vehicle production.

While the advanced battery production is clearly aimed at highway speed vehicles, the developments should help efforts to improve the performance of battery powered LSVs. While most of these vehicles use lead-acid type batteries, some are using or exploring the use of more advanced batteries. More production, competition and technological advances will only make these batteries more feasible for use in LSVs and utility vehicles in the future.