Supercharged Batteries

Obama's Challenge: Produce batteries and components to power affordable electric cars.

Who's Got a Shot: The Administration has pledged $2.4 billion to support battery innovation, galvanizing an industry that's looking to develop batteries that enable cars to drive hundreds of miles on a single charge. GE, IBM, and Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway are getting in on the game, taking stakes in companies such as Chinese automaker BYD and Watertown (Mass.)-based A123 System to develop next-generation lithium ion, lithium oxide, and sodium batteries.