The United States Advanced Battery Consortium has awarded a 24-month lithium-ion battery development contract to the Johnson Controls and Saft Advanced Power Solutions joint venture. Johnson Controls is also funding work on the contract.

The USABC, which includes the U.S. Department of Energy, DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General Motors, awarded Li-ion battery development contracts to Johnson Controls and Saft in 2004. The two firms formed their joint venture in January, and the current contract continues the development effort.

Johnson and Saft will focus on Li-ion batteries for hybrid electric vehicles, hoping to improve battery power in low temperatures, and to reduce battery system costs.