Toyota is investing an additional $8 billion in its battery manufacturing facility in Liberty, adding 3,000 more jobs. The expansion is part of the company’s global effort to increase its electric vehicle production capacity. In total, Toyota has pledged to invest $13.9 billion, creating more than 5,000 jobs.
The 1,825-acre facility, Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina (TBMNC), will operate on 100% renewable energy. It’s a key part of Toyota’s plan to launch 30 new electric vehicle models globally by 2030. Production at TBMNC is slated to begin in 2025.
The facility will produce batteries for various automobile propulsion systems, including four lines for hybrid electric cars like the Toyota Prius. It will also support hybrid powertrains in other vehicles such as the Sienna, Venza, and Camry.
Batteries for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, like the Toyota Prius Prime and RAV4 Prime, will also be produced at the facility. These vehicles combine a gasoline-powered engine with a battery larger than a hybrid but smaller than a full-electric. The facility will also support production of batteries for fully electric cars.
Toyota plans to gradually open 10 production lines for electric and plug-in hybrid batteries, with full production expected by 2030. The company anticipates a total battery production of more than 30 gigawatt hours annually when the facility is fully operational.
“Through the last few years of building relationships, including my most recent trip to Tokyo and meeting with President Sato, our partnership with Toyota has become stronger than ever, culminating in this historic announcement,” North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said in a press release.
The plant will span 7 million square feet, equivalent to about 121 football fields.
Toyota has also made significant donations to local nonprofits and educational institutions. Last year, the company announced a $1 million donation to several local schools and universities, and a $200,000 donation to local youth organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Asheboro and Greensboro.
The Toyota expansion is concurrent with the construction of the new Vinfast facility in Chatham County, which will serve as the Vietnamese company’s vehicle manufacturing hub for North America. Other electric vehicle parts and component suppliers are also building major facilities in the area.
