Iontra receives ARPA-E grant to extend the life of electric vehicle batteries

Iontra Inc., in partnership with Idaho National Laboratory and Freudenberg Power Systems, receives a $2.15 million ARPA-E grant to optimize battery state management for electric vehicles and extend their lifespan.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Iontra Inc., a company specializing in advanced battery charging technologies, has received a $2.15 million grant from ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy) as part of its CIRCULAR program. This funding is intended to validate Iontra’s innovative battery state of health (SOH) sensing technology for electric vehicles (EV), known as Pathfinder. The aim is to extend battery lifespan by providing detailed, real-time data on battery health.

The grant is part of ARPA-E’s CIRCULAR program, which seeks to promote a circular economy model for the U.S. EV battery supply chain. This initiative encourages the development of technologies that support increased longevity, regeneration, repair, reuse, and remanufacturing of batteries. Following this objective, Iontra’s three-year project will focus on pre-commercial development of its battery state sensing technology, including demonstrations on EV battery packs.

Collaboration with Strategic Partners

To successfully carry out this project, Iontra is partnering with Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and Freudenberg Power Systems, two key industry players. INL will focus on developing advanced prognostic models and technology validation, while Freudenberg will provide high-quality cells and packs for testing and development. Together, these partners aim to significantly improve EV battery management, a critical issue for the electric vehicle sector.

Iontra’s Pathfinder technology is based on proprietary algorithms capable of accurately calculating multiple battery states, including state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH). This information allows EV manufacturers to manage the energy flow within the battery more efficiently, which extends its lifespan and reduces ownership costs for EV drivers.

Ambitious Goals for Cost Reduction

The ARPA-E-supported project also aims to lower the energy cost associated with EV lifespans. The advanced SOH and SOC calculations provided by Iontra’s technology seek to enhance battery management and system reliability, which is essential for optimizing both costs and energy efficiency. ARPA-E aims to achieve an energy cost of $0.02 per kWh, down from the current $0.04, over the lifespan of a vehicle.

Daniel Konopka, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Iontra, expressed his appreciation for the grant, noting that the company’s technology could revolutionize battery state management and support U.S. autonomy in the EV battery market. “We are grateful to ARPA-E’s CIRCULAR program for its support and excited to collaborate with Idaho National Laboratory and Freudenberg to strengthen U.S. leadership in EV battery technologies,” he stated.

A Global Impact for the Energy Future

By extending EV battery lifespans and improving their performance, this project could positively impact energy security and sustainability in the U.S. According to Jeff Granato, President and CEO of Iontra, this battery-agnostic technology, which enables proactive maintenance and better battery health assessment, could also support safer and optimized battery use.

The ARPA-E grant awarded to Iontra and its partners thus marks a critical step toward greater autonomy in the U.S. battery sector, while aligning with a sustainability approach essential to the energy sector and end users.

Ameresco has completed a 50 MW battery storage system to support Nucor’s expansion in Arizona, marking one of the largest behind-the-meter industrial projects in the United States.
Rondo Energy has launched commercial operations of the world’s largest industrial heat battery, delivering 24-hour steam from off-grid solar power.
SUNOTEC expands in the Bulgarian market with seven projects combining battery and solar, totalling 763 MWh of storage and 115 MWp of photovoltaic capacity.
Danish fund Copenhagen Infrastructure IV transfers half of its stake in the UK-based Coalburn 2 project to AIP Management, strengthening AIP's energy storage portfolio in the United Kingdom.
Lyten has completed the acquisition of the Northvolt Dwa site in Poland, Europe’s largest energy storage system factory, and plans to deliver its first commercial units before the end of 2025.
SNG Holdings launched trial operations of a 2MW/6MWh energy storage facility in Gotemba, backed by Digital Grid and PHOTON, ahead of commercial commissioning scheduled for November.
The Winchester project will combine 160 MW of storage with two 80 MW solar plants in Cochise County, with delivery expected in early 2027.
Greenflash Infrastructure has acquired a 200 MW standalone storage project in Texas, marking a strategic asset transfer aimed at reinforcing local grid reliability.
Gotion High-Tech presented in Saudi Arabia a modular 20 MWh storage solution aimed at strengthening the country's energy capacity under its Vision 2030 strategy.
The Japanese developer has commissioned a storage unit in Karatsu and plans to deploy 80 facilities by the end of 2026, relying on agreements with local governments and industrial partners.
Energy Plug, Malahat Battery Technology and Quantum eMotion sign strategic agreement to develop quantum-secured energy storage systems, including a NATO-aligned defence initiative.
Greenflash Infrastructure has finalised the acquisition of Rock Rose, a 200 MW energy storage project located in Fort Bend County, to strengthen its ERCOT market portfolio.
SALA Energy commissions its first grid-scale battery storage facility using sodium-sulfur batteries, supported by both public and private financing.
Utility-scale battery storage system costs continue to fall across Asia-Pacific, but the pace of reductions is expected to slow significantly by 2029, according to Wood Mackenzie projections.
StarCharge has secured a 500MWh energy storage order through a strategic agreement with ENERGY INVESTMENT LLC, strengthening its position in rapidly evolving Eastern European markets.
The Vilvoorde site in Belgium now hosts 400 MWh of operational capacity on a total 800 MWh project, marking a key milestone for electricity storage on the continent.
Idemitsu Kosan has commissioned a 15MW/48MWh energy storage facility in Himeji, marking the start of its deployment in grid-scale storage with Japanese public funding.
The Australian government awarded contracts to 20 renewable and storage projects, surpassing the initial 6GW goal under the fourth round of the Capacity Investment Scheme.
The Padua Complex will deliver 400 MW/1.8 GWh capacity with Tesla's support, at a strategic node of the Texas grid, following legislative action to strengthen energy reliability.
Salt River Project will partner with ESS to install a 50 MWh long-duration energy storage system in Pinal County as part of its capacity expansion plan to meet rising demand.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.