Advanced metallurgical Silicon and LMFP lithium-ion batteries that deliver low-cost, high range, and superior safety with 100% domestic materials
Project Update
The project commenced in Q4 2025. Meetings were held to establish supplier relationships for domestic manufacturers. The first deliverable, which relates to the test plan for the project’s lithium-ion batteries, was approved. Technical progress towards the 5Ah Si-LMFP batteries is underway.
The Issue
Electric vehicles (EVs) present significant cost barriers to end consumers. The current reliance on imported, often unethically sourced materials such as cobalt for lithium-ion battery (LIB) production is an additional challenge, as these materials raise environmental and ethical concerns. The successful completion of this project will result in an affordable, safer, high-performing EV battery that enables the production of lower-cost EVs in California, using domestic materials.
Project Innovation
This project is developing a LIB using Silicon-Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate (Si-LMFP) chemistry will deliver a 300+ mile range, a cost reduction of up to 33 percent, and enhanced thermal safety with an increase of up to 200°C over current graphite-based LIBs, all while relying exclusively on domestically sourced critical materials. The project will assemble 60Ah Si-LMFP prototype battery cells into commercially relevant electric mobility battery modules in collaboration with an electric mobility partner. The battery module specifications for the electric mobility vehicle closely align with those of EVs, offering commercial validation that reduces risk while showcasing the superior performance and cost efficiency of the Si-LMFP battery, paving the way for broader transportation electrification.
Project Goals
Project Benefits
Scaling battery production in California enables Coreshell to maximize the state's economic benefits by bolstering the local battery supply chain. Additionally, this technology supports California's clean energy mandate by offering a domestically sourced solution, significantly reducing import dependencies. The widespread application of the Si-LMFP battery across electric vehicles and e-mobility solutions exemplifies a formidable step towards decarbonization and energy independence.
Affordability
Gas-powered all-terrain vehicles / utility task vehicles (ATV/UTV) cost about $5.38 per hour to operate—$2.00 of which is gasoline. Assuming the average ATV/UTV is used in farming and industrial applications at a rate of 100-150 hours/month, gasoline costs approximately $200-$300/month. The cost to charge the Si-LMFP battery, would be $20/month – a savings of $3,360 over the lifetime of a single ATV/UTV.
Safety
EV batteries have safety issues, and events such as deadly e-bike fires and numerous EV recalls highlight the safety limitations of current battery technology. The iron-based cathode chemistry used in this project brings about significant safety improvements compared to nickel-based cathode chemistry. Cells should be able to achieve a European Council for Automotive Research & Development (EUCAR) hazard rating of Hazard Level (HL) less than/equal to 4.
Key Project Members
Subrecipients
Match Partners
