Panasonic Energy recently began construction of its new lithium-ion battery production facility in De Soto, Kansas.
The company hopes to begin mass production at the facility by March 2025, according to a press release. The facility will maintain a production capacity of 30 gigawatt-hours at the facility to supply electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers across the United States.
“Expanding production capacity in Kansas will enable us to continue delivering the highest quality batteries for our automotive partners as demand grows,” said Kris Takamoto, executive vice president of Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., head of EV Battery Business. “We are already producing more than 5 million battery cells a day in North America, and the new facility in Kansas will further grow our capacity, efficiency, and economies of scale which are critical to a net-zero emissions future.”
The new plant will also employ 4,000 people and make Kansas a key player in the domestic EV industry as the plant manufactures cylindrical batteries for growing EV battery requirements, the release stated.
Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, praised the project on social media.
"4,000 people in Kansas will have good-paying jobs at this site - EV battery manufacturing jobs that don't necessarily require a four-year degree,” Buttigieg stated in a tweet March 14. “One more example of @POTUS' vision for American manufacturing in action.”
Kansas Gov., Laura Kelly, said the announcement recognizes the state as an ideal place to do business, which comes on the heels of Business Facilities magazine selecting Kansas for the 2022 Deal of the Year Impact Award.
“This recognition from Business Facilities is another confirmation of the incredible impact Panasonic will have on our economy and of our ability to attract talent, spur innovation, and bring prosperity to our state,” Kelly said.
Allan Swan, Panasonic Energy president, said his company evaluated more than 100 potential sites in a dozen states for the new facility and chose Kansas for its “skilled workforce, reliable infrastructure, central location, and a shared commitment to clean and renewable energy.”
