Toyota Launches First U.S. EV Battery Plant
Production has commenced at Toyota’s state-of-the-art EV battery plant in Liberty, North Carolina. This facility represents Toyota’s first outside Japan and marks a significant milestone for the company.
Toyota’s First U.S. EV Battery Plant Details
Situated on a massive site of 1,850 acres, Toyota’s new battery plant will manufacture lithium-ion batteries designed for its expanding range of electrified vehicles.
- Investment: $13.9 billion
- Job Creation: Up to 5,100 jobs
- Annual Production Capacity: 30 GWh
- Number of Production Lines: 14 (with plans to expand)
Significance of the Plant
This facility is Toyota’s twelfth manufacturing site in the United States and a pivotal moment according to Ted Ogawa, CEO of Toyota Motor North America. He emphasized the importance of this launch as it aligns with the company’s commitment to electrification.
Since its entry into the U.S. market nearly 70 years ago, Toyota has invested close to $60 billion in various operations within the country. The latest investment includes an additional $10 billion planned over the next five years to further strengthen its U.S. presence.
Electrified Vehicle Production
The North Carolina battery plant will support various electrified models including:
- Camry Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)
- Corolla Cross HEV
- RAV4 HEV
- Upcoming three-row electric SUV
While currently offering two battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the U.S.—the bZ SUV and Lexus RZ—Toyota has plans to introduce additional models such as the CH-R and bZ Woodland soon.
Future Expansion Plans
As production ramps up, Toyota acknowledges the necessity for further expansion, indicating more production lines will be added by 2030. The company is also already shipping HEV modules to its plants in Kentucky and Alabama.
As the EV market continues to grow, Toyota’s commitment to developing a robust battery supply chain in the U.S. signifies its strategic focus on electrification and innovative automotive technology.
