Recent developments in Germany’s budget plans have raised concerns among battery researchers about the future of their funding. According to electrive, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) had already reduced the battery research budget for 2024 to €155 million, following a Constitutional Court ruling on the Climate and Transformation Fund. Now the draft budget for 2025 has caused alarm in the industry.
The Competence Network for Lithium-Ion Batteries (Klib) reports that the draft budget for 2025 suggests that only ongoing projects could receive funding next year. The association warns that this could have a serious impact on the competitiveness of the German battery industry.
While the BMBF has not officially announced an end to battery funding, the 2025 draft budget allocates 118 million euros for battery research with no provisions for new project approvals. This contrasts with the 2024 budget, which included €20 million for new approvals and additional funding for multi-year projects.
Klib highlights the potential consequences of reduced funding, noting that other countries are significantly increasing investments in battery research and development. The association argues that cutting research funding could hinder innovation and industrial applications in the German battery sector.
The funding situation affects various areas of battery research, including sodium-ion, lithium-sulfur, and solid-state batteries, as well as the development of materials and systems based on aluminum or magnesium. According to electrive, Klib stresses the importance of continued research, citing the example of LFP batteries, which have seen renewed interest due to ongoing development and government support in China.
While the Battery Research Production Center (FFB) in Münster and the battery IPCEI project remain funded, Klib expresses concern that the overall reduction in research support could impact Germany’s technological sovereignty and competitiveness in the emerging battery industry.
As the global battery market continues to evolve rapidly, the future of Germany’s battery research funding remains a critical issue for the country’s electric mobility and energy storage sectors.
Source: electrive
