The current President of the United States, Barack Obama, has come forth lately as a big proponent of battery improvements, putting a great deal of stock into the future of the technology as a means for unbridled change and improvements in the future – a step away from natural resource based energy needs that the US is currently shifting from reliance on at this time. In a 4th visit to a battery maker since he took office, Obama greeted workers at the Compact Power inc. site in Holland, Michigan. Political analysts have noted that not only is Obama pouring a great deal of federal money into the industry in any way he can, the President is also trying to focus political attention on the industry because he believes that in terms of the auto and health industries, batteries are going to play a very crucial role in moving the world forward. Once the factory that Obama visited is completed, it will give jobs to more than 300 workers by producing batters for not only the Focus electric car model from Ford Motor Co., but also the Chevy Volt from General Motors Co., both companies having recently benefited from a federal bail out of the overall automotive industry in the US.
Batteries are a core part of the president’s message that green tech changes will play a huge role in helping the American economy recover by offering better jobs and a more fruitful economy. In all, since elected Obama has had a hand in pouring more than $2.4 billion into the advanced battery making markets to help the US catch up with Asia.