Battery companies land military deal

Lithium-ion battery developer and manufacturer International Battery in November 2008 announced it snagged $2.4 million from the U.S. Department of Defense to develop a battery exchange program for military vehicles.

Aiming to allow soldiers to power their vehicles' electrical systems without running their engines, and to give troops greater operational agility, the Defense Department also awarded $2 million to Peoria, Ill.-based Firefly Energy, which makes a lead-acid battery made with lightweight foam.

International Battery’s Lithium Ion 6TLi Battery is designed to be the same size as lead-acid batteries to allow soldiers in the field to interchange the two technologies. The lithium ion batteries offer longer life with about four times the energy at about half the weight of current lead acid batteries, according to International Battery, which also plans to highlight the financial benefits of reduced disposal costs of their batteries. The Oakland, N.J.-based company says it is also working on other energy storage products for commercial, industrial and military customers.

Meanwhile, Firefly—which in June 2008 completed a Series C funding round from investors including Quercus Trust, Kholsa Ventures and Infield Capital—says it plans to use the funds to enhance its technology for military use and to improve its manufacturing processes. The company claims its products “break through the performance barriers” of traditional lead-acid batteries, and can offer the military reduced costs coupled with greater performance and ease of use.