Elevated Materials Wins $50 Million DOE Grant to Build 3.5 GW Battery Material Plant for Ultra-Thin Lithium Film Production

September 20, 2026

Dealroom USA

Overview

Elevated Materials, a California-based startup specializing in ultra-thin lithium film, has secured a $50 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This funding will cover half the cost of a planned 3.5 GW battery material production facility, aimed at advancing battery technology and manufacturing in the U.S. This significant investment is crucial for enhancing the performance of next-generation batteries and strengthening the domestic supply chain, with impacts expected across the EV and energy storage system sectors.

In Depth

Key Findings

Elevated Materials, a California-based startup, has been awarded a $50 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in recognition of its ultra-thin lithium film manufacturing technology. This funding will cover half of the total cost for the company’s planned 3.5 GW battery material production facility. This grant represents a critical strategic investment by the DOE towards fostering battery technology innovation and strengthening manufacturing capabilities within the United States.

Technical Details

The ultra-thin lithium film being developed by Elevated Materials is a key material poised to dramatically enhance the performance of next-generation batteries, particularly solid-state and lithium-metal batteries. This film is expected to significantly reduce the migration resistance of lithium ions compared to conventional electrode materials, thereby improving battery energy density and fast-charging capabilities. The company’s manufacturing process utilizes proprietary technology to form lithium metal into an extremely thin, uniform film, which is also anticipated to improve battery safety and cycle life. The planned 3.5 GW production facility will possess the capacity to supply enough lithium film for batteries installed in millions of electric vehicles annually.

Background and Industry Context

With the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and large-scale energy storage systems (ESS), global demand for high-performance, safe, and cost-effective batteries is surging. The U.S. government is investing heavily in battery technology R&D and manufacturing capacity expansion to ensure international competitiveness and strengthen its domestic supply chain in this sector. The DOE grant to Elevated Materials materializes this national strategy, specifically aiming to scale up innovative technologies like lithium-metal batteries within the United States.

Strategic Significance and Outlook

The $50 million grant to Elevated Materials will play a decisive role in establishing the company as a key supplier of next-generation battery materials in the U.S. Once operational, this 3.5 GW production facility will position the U.S. at the forefront of lithium-metal battery technology, significantly contributing to extending EV driving ranges and reducing charging times. Furthermore, boosting domestic production capacity will mitigate geopolitical risks and enhance supply chain resilience. Moving forward, the company is expected to advance the construction of its production facility, further optimize its technology, and strengthen partnerships with EV manufacturers and battery cell producers. This marks a critical milestone towards accelerating the transition to a clean energy economy.

Source: https://dealroom.co/news/151306-elevated-materials-wins-50m-doe-grant-to-build-3-5-gw-battery-material-p/

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