South 8 Technologies lands $9.2M California grant to scale LiGas electrolyte production in San Diego

San Diego-based battery startup South 8 Technologies has secured a $9.2 million grant from California’s PowerForward Battery Manufacturing program to expand production of its innovative LiGas® liquefied gas electrolyte. The funding will support scaling up manufacturing capabilities at the company’s headquarters, enabling an annual output of 100 MWh of LiGas electrolyte and 2 MWh of battery cells. This initiative aligns with California’s broader $67 million effort to bolster zero-emission vehicle battery manufacturing within the state, administered by CALSTART. South 8’s LiGas electrolyte technology represents a significant advancement over traditional liquid electrolytes by utilising a patented blend of liquefied non-toxic gases under pressure. This design offers a remarkable operating temperature range from –60 °C to +60 °C and an ultra-low freezing point below –100 °C, addressing a key limitation of conventional electrolytes which typically degrade below 0 °C and freeze around –20 °C. The company aims to achieve a specific energy exceeding 425 Wh/kg, making the technology highly suitable not only for electric vehicles in cold climates but also for demanding defence and aerospace applications where standard battery cells often fail. The grant will also facilitate South 8’s collaboration with Nanotech Energy to integrate cell manufacturing at its San Diego facility, with the goal of preparing LiGas technology for gigafactory-scale production by 2028. CEO Jungwoo Lee expressed enthusiasm about scaling the production of their advanced electrolyte and resilient battery cells, highlighting the company’s commitment to delivering high-performance solutions. South 8’s investor base includes prominent names such as Lockheed Martin Ventures, W. L. Gore & Associates, and Porsche Ventures, reflecting strong interest from sectors focused on extreme environments and defence. In addition to its manufacturing ambitions, South 8 maintains a strategic partnership with LG Energy Solution to develop aerospace battery applications, further emphasising the versatility and potential impact of its technology. The company’s progress underlines the increasing importance of innovative battery chemistries that can operate reliably in extreme conditions, a critical factor for expanding the reach of electric mobility and specialised energy storage solutions. With the support of the PowerForward programme, South 8 is poised to play a key role in advancing next-generation battery manufacturing in California.