Concept Paper Encourage / Discourage decisions are published and available in eXCHANGE as of 4/22/2024.
The overarching goal of the CIRCULAR program is to successfully translate the definition of a circular economy to the domestic EV battery supply chain by supporting the development of innovative solutions that can overcome both the technological and economic barriers to broad commercial adoption. CIRCULAR recognizes that conventional recycling is not the only, nor primary, pathway to closing the supply chain loop. The program will support the development and deployment of foundational technologies capable of maintaining materials and products in circulation at their highest level of performance and safety for as long as possible. CIRCULAR acknowledges that simultaneous advancements in multiple technological domains may be required to accomplish this ambitious objective.
The program will have three categories:
Category A seeks innovations in battery cell materials, designs, regeneration methods, and corresponding manufacturing techniques to prolong battery service life.
Category B seeks innovations in battery pack designs, materials, and reversible manufacturing methods as well as fast and safe disassembly techniques to recover manufacturing value of cells and pack components.
Category C seeks innovations in cell-level sensing, data analytics, and battery intelligence systems for circularity and safety.