$9.2 Million Grant To Expand Advanced Battery Manufacturing In San Diego
$9.2 Million Grant To Expand Advanced Battery Manufacturing In San Diego
Publish Date: 2026-04-04 11:05:00
Source Domain: pulse2.com
South 8 Technologies, an advanced battery company based in San Diego, announced it has executed a $9.2 million funding agreement under the PowerForward Battery Manufacturing Grant Program, aimed at expanding its domestic battery production capabilities.
The grant is part of a broader $67 million initiative designed to accelerate zero-emission vehicle battery manufacturing in California, support job creation, and strengthen local economic development. The program is administered by CALSTART with backing from the California Energy Commission and support from New Energy Nexus and the UC Berkeley Labor Center.
Through this agreement, South 8 Technologies will expand its San Diego headquarters to scale production of its proprietary liquefied gas electrolyte, known as LiGas. The company plans to reach annual production capacity of 100 MWh for electrolyte and 2 MWh for lithium-ion battery cells.
South 8’s LiGas technology represents a departure from traditional lithium-ion battery electrolytes, offering improved safety, enhanced performance in extreme temperatures, faster charging, and longer cycle life. The platform also supports a fully domestic supply chain, as its gas-based components are produced at industrial scale within the United States.
The expanded manufacturing capacity will serve customers across defense, aerospace, and mobility sectors, including global automotive manufacturers working on development and qualification programs for next-generation battery systems.
The project was selected through a competitive evaluation process based on technical merit, readiness for manufacturing scale, economic impact, and alignment with California’s zero-emission transportation goals. The initiative reflects continued investment in U.S.-based battery innovation and infrastructure.
KEY QUOTES:
“We’re excited to scale production of our advanced LiGas electrolyte and high-performance, resilient battery cells. Expanding our San Diego operations is a…
