Stellantis and Samsung SDI announce plans for a second EV battery plant, supporting green mobility goals in the US.

• Stellantis and Samsung SDI are forming a second EV battery manufacturing plant in the US, strengthening their electrification strategy.

• The Kokomo facility, set to open in 2025, will have an initial production capacity of 23 GWh, with plans to expand to 33 GWh.

• The second battery plant, part of the StarPlus Energy joint venture, aims for an annual capacity of 34 GWh.

Stellantis and Samsung SDI are embarking on an exciting venture with the announcement of a second electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant in the United States. Just over a year after revealing their collaborative efforts and their inaugural Kokomo facility project, the two companies are solidifying their commitment to expanding EV battery production for Stellantis’ electrification ambitions in North America.

The Kokomo plant, scheduled to commence operations by 2025, required a substantial investment exceeding $2.5 billion, with potential for expansion to over $3 billion. The project is anticipated to create approximately 1,400 new job opportunities in Indiana. Once operational, the facility will have an initial production capacity of 23 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of batteries annually, but Stellantis and Samsung have set their sights on boosting this capacity to 33 GWh in the following years.

While the Kokomo plant is still a few years away from completion, Stellantis and Samsung are forging ahead with an additional EV battery manufacturing facility in the United States. This move underscores the automaker’s dedication to expanding its lineup of EVs available in the country.

The second US battery plant, part of the expanded StarPlus Energy joint venture between Stellantis and Samsung SDI, is targeting an annual production capacity of 34 GWh upon its opening. This substantial increase in battery capacity is a critical element of Stellantis’ forward-thinking 2030 electrification strategy. The automaker is committed to offering at least 25 new battery-electric vehicles in the North American market by the end of the decade, while also aiming for a BEVs-only lineup in Europe and a 50% mix of BEVs in the US.

Stellantis’ CEO, Carlos Tavares, emphasizes the significance of the new facility in achieving the company’s ambitious EV sales targets and its commitment to carbon neutrality by 2038. The joint efforts with Samsung SDI in expanding production capacity in the United States demonstrate the companies’ determination to take a leading role in the transition to electrification.

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Samsung SDI’s partnership is pivotal in supporting Stellantis’ extended lineup of BEVs in North America. However, the company is also actively involved in other battery plant projects in the US, including a $3 billion joint venture with GM for a battery manufacturing plant with an expected capacity of over 30 GWh, slated to open in 2026.

The timeline for these battery projects is strategically coordinated, with Stellantis’ Kokomo facility expected to precede GM and Samsung SDI’s plant, followed by the recently announced larger facility, set to begin production in 2027. While the location of the second battery plant with Samsung has not yet been disclosed, Stellantis’ numerous footprints in North America, especially in the midwestern United States and Ontario, Canada, offer several potential sites for consideration. The joint venture’s expansion underscores the commitment to a greener future and advancing the adoption of electric mobility in the US automotive market.