Panasonic Energy, the Japan-based battery maker, has begun mass production at its new automotive lithium-ion battery factory in the US, aiming for an annual capacity of 32GWh.
The facility, which is in Kansas, is said to be one of the largest of its kind and has started to make cylindrical lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EV).
It is the second North American facility operated by the company and has started producing the 2170 cells.
The high-capacity lithium-ion cells that will be produced at the approximately 300-acre site have a volumetric energy density of 800Wh/L.
The site, which is in De Soto outside Kansas City, is expected to create 4,000 jobs directly with 8,000 jobs in total in supplier and related industries.
The first facility, located in Nevada, has been operating since 2017 and reports a current capacity of 41GWh, with 11 billion cells made to date.
Overall, the firm said it aims for its US-based production capacity to be increased to approximately 73GWh when the second facility is fully operational. Its cells have powered approximately 3.7 million EVs.
Kazuo Tadanobu, CEO, Panasonic Energy, said, “The opening of our Kansas Factory marks a major milestone in our journey to scale advanced battery production in the United States. This achievement would not have been possible without the strong support of our local partners and the State of Kansas. Together, we are accelerating the shift to electrification, reinforcing regional supply chains, and nurturing the next generation of battery talent. This facility represents not only our commitment to the region but also a foundation for long-term collaboration and innovation in the US.”
Image: The new lithium-ion battery facility in Kansas. Credit: Panasonic.
