Panasonic Energy has officially confirmed the location of its proposed battery manufacturing facility in the US. With an investment of $4 billion, the new plant is to come up at De Soto, Kansas, and is expected to make 4680-type cylindrical cells for Tesla.
"With the increased electrification of the automotive market, expanding battery production in the US is critical to help meet demand", said Kazuo Tadanobu, President, CEO of Panasonic Energy. "Given our leading technology and depth of experience, we aim to continue driving growth of the lithium-ion battery industry and accelerating towards a net-zero emissions future".
The announcement comes five years after Panasonic Group began production of lithium-ion batteries at Panasonic Energy of North America (PENA) in Sparks, Nevada. PENA is now one of the world's largest lithium-ion battery factories, surpassing six billion EV battery cells shipped.
The new facility in Kansas is intended to further support Panasonic's long-term commitment to advancing the EV industry in the US. Production is expected to start sometime in 2024-25.
Speaking on the development, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said, "This project will be transformative for the Kansas economy, providing high-quality, high-tech jobs while bringing a new industry to the state that is forging a more sustainable future. This is a significant milestone for Kansas that is sure to drive economic growth and development".
Kansas has an established battery manufacturing sector with seven establishments employing approximately 1,300 individuals. With the opportunity to potentially add an additional 4,000 jobs, this deal will make Kansas an industry leader in the battery manufacturing space in the United States.