// ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION AND BATTERY TECHNOLOGY

The Kansas City region is a leading North American market for next-generation advanced transportation assembly, and an established battery technology innovation center. This is supported by a workforce skilled in both 20th and 21st century transportation technology and engineering expertise.

The Kansas City region is an established area of concentration for the development and manufacturing of advanced transportation and battery technology.

• Exergonix recently selected Lee’s Summit, Mo. for its world headquarters and high-level technology product assembly, which includes the production of innovative energy storage systems.  The Exergonix design has a higher energy density battery, provides optimum power with quick response capability, has increased cycle life, and incorporates better safety mechanisms and delivers enhanced durability.

• Dow Kokam's R&D function and sole manufacturing site is located in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Dow Kokam is a global leader in the manufacturing of lithium ion (li-ion) batteries.

• Smith Electric Vehicles, a recent recruitment success to Kansas City, is assembling zero emission electric powered delivery trucks for the U.S. market in Kansas City. In 2009, Smith Electric Vehicles U.S. won a $10 million grant to help produce electric vans, pickups and the company’s Newton medium-duty trucks.

• Ford and General Motors produce Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) in Kansas City—the Ford Escape, Chevy Malibu and Saturn Aura. In 2009, Ford Motor Company received $15 million for hybrid vehicle development at its Claycomo plant.

• Kansas City has a proven record of being a critical link in the global supply chain. KC SmartPort is the industry-acclaimed expert, advocate and facilitator of logistics development in the KC region. KC has an established legacy and existing infrastructure to support manufacturing, distribution, warehousing and other logistics operations. KC competes aggressively and effectively for major logistics investments.

// EDUCATION ASSETS SPECIFIC TO THE ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY

• KU’s Transportation Research Institute is committed to vehicle technologies and alternative fuels, with a research focus on developing advanced vehicle and fuel technologies.

• Missouri University of Science and Technology has a DOT Grant to research alternative energy transit vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles.