Toyota is gearing up to produce electric vehicle (EV) batteries at its new factory in North Carolina, USA, with plans to commence production in the first quarter of next year. The facility, which received increased investment totalling $13.9 billion last year, is making significant progress since its groundbreaking in late 2022.
According to reports, Sean Suggs, President of Toyota Battery Manufacturing at the North Carolina complex, revealed that trial activities are currently underway in the first building of the factory. With approximately 300 team members on-site daily and around 500 more at the headquarters location in Greensboro, the plant is set to employ a total of 5,100 people upon completion in 2028.
The North Carolina facility aims to produce 30 GWh of EV batteries annually across seven buildings, each featuring two production lines. It will encompass a total of 10 production lines for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plugin hybrid battery packs, along with four lines dedicated to hybrid vehicle battery packs. Additionally, an on-site supplier building called Fuji Springs will manufacture battery components.
Furthermore, the factory will house a full-time fire department, three drive-through bays, and other support structures to ensure efficient operations. Despite criticism from some quarters regarding Toyota’s pace of electrification, the company remains committed to a multi-pathway strategy, including hybrids, while acknowledging the role of EVs in achieving carbon neutrality.