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An award announced today by the U.S. Department of Energy will allow electric battery company ReVolt Technology LLC to expand in Oregon.

The company, which is developing a rechargeable zinc-air battery for electric vehicles, announced in September 2009 that it had selected Portland as the location for its U.S. headquarters and manufacturing center.

Now, with a $5 million research grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, chief executive officer James McDougall plans to begin considering sites for larger, future facilities in Oregon. Currently, the company only maintains one office in Portland. The company was founded in Norway. The company is based in Switzerland.

“McDougall expects to proceed on facility decisions and operations in the coming months,” said Tom Resau, spokesman for ReVolt Technology LLC. “Most of the U.S. team will be in place in Oregon by October 2010. We are pleased to have the U.S. Department of Energy recognize the potential of ReVolt’s battery technology.”

ReVolt is currently developing a battery for electric vehicles that uses zinc, a widely available material. The battery is expected to allow hybrid and all-electric vehicles to go longer between charges.