Senators urge US to take steps to boost battery production, citing China

Workers are seen at the production line of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EV) at a factory in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, China August 28, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer/ File photo Acquire Licensing Rights WASHINGTON, Nov 6 (Reuters) – Two influential Democratic U.S. senators urged the Energy Department to take steps to boost U.S. battery manufacturing and next-generation battery research, citing China’s dominance and export controls, according to a letter seen by Reuters. Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Mark Warner and Energy Committee Chair Joe Manchin cited experts saying that the United States is “ten to twenty years behind Asia in commercialization of battery…