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Tough Times for U.S. EV Battery Makers

Technology Review -- Nine companies received grants to build advanced-battery factories from the U.S. government as part of the 2009 Recovery Act. A 10th factory, proposed by a joint venture between Nissan and NEC, is being built with the help of a $1.4 billion federal loan guarantee.

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Submitted Feb 04, 2012 By: E-Squirrel

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OmeGas Rookie Author Twin Cities Posts:48 Points:589,910 Joined:Jul 2010	Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 8:49:18 AM Ignore OmeGas Report Abuse Wish I could get other people to pay my expenses so willingly
GT3186 Champion Author Salem Posts:1,244 Points:265,055 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:08:08 PM Ignore GT3186 Report Abuse Federal grant and loans. More misappropriated and wasted taxpayer dollars.
fuel2use Champion Author Seattle Posts:1,796 Points:406,500 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 7:54:37 PM Ignore fuel2use Report Abuse I hope it works.
Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:1,986 Points:325,200 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 7:49:35 PM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse Too many people are too happy to see American companies & energy ventures fail. I would rather buy American. I also want the world to buy American. Build the industries future markets need in the U.S.
SavingInNC Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,129 Points:740,055 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 2:11:05 PM Ignore SavingInNC Report Abuse They will soon be bankrupt too, with the government subsidies
Norm10 Champion Author British Columbia Posts:1,828 Points:89,545 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:45:07 AM Ignore Norm10 Report Abuse It sounds like they need the government (taxpayer) to bail them out again - NOT!
Mark8601 Veteran Author Bakersfield Posts:424 Points:123,945 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 8:35:11 AM Ignore Mark8601 Report Abuse So many batteries but so little cars.
NGC4565 Champion Author Reading Posts:1,919 Points:384,390 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 8:09:56 AM Ignore NGC4565 Report Abuse The government can throw dollars at something to create a supply, but they seem powerless to create a similar demand. Someone posted an article yesterday predicting trends in the automotive industry over the next few years, and one of the predictions was that sales of EVs and plug-in hybrids would continue to languish. It should be very interesting to see how all of this settles out over the next few years.
Rockyguitar All-Star Author Tampa Posts:831 Points:869,695 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 7:46:16 AM Ignore Rockyguitar Report Abuse And again the gubment steps in with our tax money as bribes to promote what should be done through supply and DEMAND!
TruthMatters All-Star Author New Jersey Posts:912 Points:197,600 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 6:54:16 AM Ignore TruthMatters Report Abuse Another reason for the slow or non-existent growth of the EV market: human nature. If something works, people tends to stick with it and not try something new even if it is far more technically advanced.
rbrk02 Champion Author Rhode Island Posts:2,987 Points:451,405 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 6:47:42 AM Ignore rbrk02 Report Abuse RNCII wrote, "Government needs to stay out of the way and let us choose what we want." Absolutely True! Sad that to this point, government seems to think that it knows what is best for us. But, in the end, we get the final vote. runout9 wrote, "EV's remain a leftist utopian pipe dream that has become a nightmare." Very well said! And true!
kenji554 All-Star Author Charlotte Posts:909 Points:219,695 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 5:01:04 AM Ignore kenji554 Report Abuse EV demand is too low. Cost is too high and for most people the range is impractical.
djgunrunner Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:8,133 Points:1,987,645 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 4:18:53 AM Ignore djgunrunner Report Abuse So how much have those morons in the energy department cost us so far on this issue?
RNCII Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,772 Points:329,055 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 3:37:50 AM Ignore RNCII Report Abuse Wow Who knew. EV are flopping around like a fish out of water. All the green spending government loans, grants, and incentives have gone south. I don't care what the government thinks I do know how to buy a light bulb and really think I can make sound choices in buying a car or truck that can serve my needs. Government needs to stay out of the way and let us choose what we want. I choose NoBama 2012 [Edited by: RNCII at 2/5/2012 3:39:49 AM EST]
Amplion Champion Author Oregon Posts:4,789 Points:1,500,295 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 3:29:15 AM Ignore Amplion Report Abuse The money would be better spent helping the poor heat their houses !!! OBOZO is doing a VERY BAD JOB, FIRE HIM !!!!!
Amplion Champion Author Oregon Posts:4,789 Points:1,500,295 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 3:26:25 AM Ignore Amplion Report Abuse OBOZO's CRONIES
SilverDodge2000 All-Star Author Spokane Posts:865 Points:120,320 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 3:02:06 AM Ignore SilverDodge2000 Report Abuse If there is a demand the suppliers will be started and supply the required product. The government must stay out of the private market. They just screw it up and cost the people money. I am afraid that if they keep messing around they will collapse the country.
Vetteblu Champion Author Denver Posts:1,637 Points:465,115 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 2:23:30 AM Ignore Vetteblu Report Abuse More screwups & waste.
el_fr Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:1,499 Points:380,300 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 1:15:54 AM Ignore el_fr Report Abuse When will these companies declare bankruptcy?
runout9 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,240 Points:978,145 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 1:05:44 AM Ignore runout9 Report Abuse EV's remain a leftist utopian pipe dream that has become a nightmare.
nurdco Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:7,211 Points:1,329,335 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 12:59:33 AM Ignore nurdco Report Abuse Lithium batteries are not cheap...
jwkycola Veteran Author Columbia Posts:391 Points:240,375 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 11:50:13 PM Ignore jwkycola Report Abuse Tough times in the EV business.
joekayak All-Star Author Massachusetts Posts:756 Points:404,915 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 11:19:01 PM Ignore joekayak Report Abuse The government doesn't have business giving tax payer money to private companies. Let them get private investors.
livable1 Champion Author New York Posts:2,323 Points:283,265 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 11:12:07 PM Ignore livable1 Report Abuse ok
lesndave Champion Author Texas Posts:1,231 Points:338,530 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 10:46:40 PM Ignore lesndave Report Abuse Well said Bucky.....
PathfinderSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:7,686 Points:1,467,765 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 10:37:55 PM Ignore PathfinderSC Report Abuse It is a tough time for everyone today.
aquarinut Champion Author British Columbia Posts:1,187 Points:273,125 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 10:35:51 PM Ignore aquarinut Report Abuse Thanks sluggopyle.... I would have never guessed I live in Canada!!! Things should get started with an entrepreneur that has the balls to make something out of nothing without begging/stealing money that the COMMON TAX PAYER bled and sweated for. Just like these companies/specs/leeches do.
BuckyTJones Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:3,083 Points:684,235 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 10:31:23 PM Ignore BuckyTJones Report Abuse What in the H&LL is going on these days! Our Government was never set up to be an Investment Corp. Please let private investment do their job and Government get the H&ll out of the way!
graceman Champion Author Baltimore Posts:3,731 Points:913,820 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 10:23:41 PM Ignore graceman Report Abuse Not a good idea.
Mark8601 Veteran Author Bakersfield Posts:424 Points:123,945 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 10:20:48 PM Ignore Mark8601 Report Abuse Nooo problem, just write it off on your taxes as a bad investment. Right?
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:2,227 Points:432,415 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 10:18:41 PM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse Everyday we hear of more of these companies that are failing that are financed by us taxpayers. $1.4 billion is a lot of green.
sluggopyle Champion Author North Carolina Posts:22,758 Points:1,052,300 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 9:58:08 PM Ignore sluggopyle Report Abuse => Very deep pockets provided by the common Joe.... TAXPAYER!!! <= ... and you think this is new? How do you think things get started? By the way, don't know if anyone else told you this but -- you're a Canadian. Check your profile.
aquarinut Champion Author British Columbia Posts:1,187 Points:273,125 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 9:44:26 PM Ignore aquarinut Report Abuse From the article.... Like Ener1, some of the other companies that received government help don't have major customers lined up. However, "they have very deep pockets," Galves says. "If demand for batteries is not where it needs to be—if it comes two to three years later—that's not a problem for them." Very deep pockets provided by the common Joe.... TAXPAYER!!!
amoshins All-Star Author Trenton Posts:943 Points:308,875 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 9:26:39 PM Ignore amoshins Report Abuse Always tough when developing new innovative products
rmgsara Champion Author Maine Posts:1,730 Points:296,945 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 9:25:32 PM Ignore rmgsara Report Abuse tough times for us all
packards42 Champion Author Washington Posts:4,815 Points:813,665 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 9:17:01 PM Ignore packards42 Report Abuse 9 grants, at 115 million each their a wasted billion dollars in tax payer moneys. as they fold one by one. Sure hope we don bail them out as mentioned below, Isn't that throwing good money after bad money. [Edited by: packards42 at 2/4/2012 9:17:58 PM EST]
bullman68 All-Star Author St. Louis Posts:596 Points:295,200 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 9:16:50 PM Ignore bullman68 Report Abuse Sounds like betting on a horse race with money on every horse, your sure to win with 1 and to lose the rest.
doeslayersr Champion Author Illinois Posts:5,794 Points:507,175 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 9:16:44 PM Ignore doeslayersr Report Abuse 1.4 billion right down the democrapper. November is one day closer.
toadNY Champion Author Albany Posts:5,112 Points:1,148,375 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 9:02:14 PM Ignore toadNY Report Abuse Will we be Bailing them out?
Bussman Champion Author Dallas Posts:4,123 Points:1,065,485 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 8:05:39 PM Ignore Bussman Report Abuse Spend, spend, spend money we don't have. Vote these folks out in November.
Gas4Gore Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,295 Points:201,930 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 7:36:21 PM Ignore Gas4Gore Report Abuse Well let China with their cheap labor build them, mostly do anyway.
freerobert Champion Author California Posts:1,040 Points:983,810 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 7:25:35 PM Ignore freerobert Report Abuse How much tax money will all those grants take away from the taxpayers?
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:17,210 Points:2,006,295 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 7:13:37 PM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse just more solyndra's
rbrk02 Champion Author Rhode Island Posts:2,987 Points:451,405 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 7:06:10 PM Ignore rbrk02 Report Abuse Also agree with car253 and bar1035.
sluggopyle Champion Author North Carolina Posts:22,758 Points:1,052,300 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 6:59:35 PM Ignore sluggopyle Report Abuse => The "Market" would pick the winners more equitably. <= Uh- the "Market" is how we got ourselves addicted to oil. --Might need to define "winners".
bar1035 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:6,570 Points:934,145 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 6:57:05 PM Ignore bar1035 Report Abuse Good comment car253. Voters aren't much better at picking winners either it seems
car253 Champion Author Ohio Posts:4,631 Points:1,127,595 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 6:51:48 PM Ignore car253 Report Abuse The government should stop trying to pick winners and losers with tax payer money. Mostly they have been good at picking losers.
coughlin Champion Author San Jose Posts:3,829 Points:852,695 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2012 6:44:24 PM Ignore coughlin Report Abuse The "Market" would pick the winners more equitably.