4 months after ceremoniously elevating the primary beam of metal on its new battery plant, companions Stellantis and Samsung SDI have introduced plans to construct a second sprawling facility. As with the primary, will probably be positioned in america. Precisely the place remains to be a thriller, however when the placement is sussed out, manufacturing will not start till 2027.
The businesses have formally signed a memorandum of understanding on the plant, pledging to construct it as a part of the StarPlus Power three way partnership. To refresh your reminiscence, that is the $2.5-billion initiative introduced by the companions in Could 2022 to fabricate lithium-ion batteries at a brand new plant in Kokomo, Indiana. The second plant will goal an annual manufacturing capability of 34 gigawatt-hours (GWh), barely greater than the Kokomo facility which initially was slated for 23 GWh however has since been bumped to 33 GWh.
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It is value noting {that a} memorandum of understanding leaves appreciable room for adjustment. As such, there are only a few particulars out there and the bits we do know aren’t essentially set in stone. It is also unclear how a lot this new plant will price, however as a reminder, the present challenge comes with a $2.5 billion price ticket.
Stellantis is considered one of many manufacturers presently investing closely in EV battery manufacturing for North America. That is, in fact, a key part within the conglomerate’s Dare Ahead 2030 electrification plan. If all the pieces pans out, half of recent Stellantis-family autos offered in North America will likely be electrical, and that is totally electrical versus plug-in hybrids. In Europe, that complete will attain one hundred pc and to get there, Stellantis says it would want 400 GWh of battery capability.
“This new facility will contribute to reaching our aggressive goal to supply not less than 25 new battery electrical autos for the North American market by the top of the last decade,” stated Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. “We’re persevering with so as to add extra capability in america along with our nice accomplice Samsung SDI and laying the following steps to reaching our carbon neutrality dedication by 2038.”
Within the close to time period, Stellantis and Samsung SDI plan to have the Kokomo plant up and working in early 2025. Additional north, Stellantis is working with LG on a bigger 45 GWh manufacturing facility that might start operation within the first quarter of 2024.
