Oregon Public Broadcasting

Swiss battery maker ReVolt Technology received a $5 million federal stimulus grant Thursday.

The money will help the company construct an electric car battery plant in Portland.

ReVolt announced last September that Portland was its choice for the new facility.

Oregon Congressman David Wu announced the grant. He said it only makes sense to build new car technology here in the U.S.

David Wu: "Why would we reduce purchases of foreign oil from dangerous countries like Iran, only to wind up purchasing the batteries for these new cars from China."

Wu worked in Congress to secure the funding. It's one of 37 grants the Department of Energy announced Thursday.

The money is part of the federal stimulus package.

ReVolt Technology's new Portland factory is projected to employ 250 people.