Michigan’s budding vehicle battery industry, charged by several companies in the Ann Arbor region, is anxiously awaiting the federal government’s battery grants announcement Wednesday at NextEnergy in Detroit.

The U.S. Department of Energy is expected to issue grants to a range of battery companies. Several startup companies with Ann Arbor ties, including A123Systems and University of Michigan spinoff Sakti3, have applied for funds from the pool of $2 billion delivered through the federal stimulus package.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to speak about the economic distress in an appearance in Detroit tied to the battery grants announcement at NextEnergy, an alternative energy economic development organization.

Ann Arbor is quickly establishing itself as a hub of battery research and development. U-M's long-held expertise in battery technologies, combined with the region's automotive heritage, have given Ann Arbor a boost in the early stages of the electric vehicle rush.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm, General Motors and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. recently endorsed Sakti3’s bid for $15 million in grant funding. GM, Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler have also applied for funds.

Government officials have indicated that additional grant winners would be announced after tomorrow. The grants program is officially called the Electric Drive Battery and Component Manufacturing Initiative. 

You can follow AnnArbor.com's Nathan Bomey on Twitter. He is also guest-hosting the Lucy Ann Lance Business Insider on 1290 WLBY-AM from 9-10 a.m. this week.