Stellantis will be building its second U.S. electric vehicle battery plant in Kokomo, Indiana, the Detroit Free Press reports.
The automaker is already having a similar battery plant built in Kokomo, as well, as part of joint ventures with South Korea-based Samsung SDI. This new plant–called the StarPlus Energy plant–requires another investment of $3.2 billion, bringing the total investment for both plants to $6.3 billion.
StarPlus Energy is expected to create 1,400 jobs when it begins production in 2027. The first initial plant is expected to open by the first quarter of 2025.
Plans for this new plant come amidst ongoing negotiations with the United Auto Workers union. Though it isn’t clear that there is any connection to negotiations, EV battery plants have been a topic of concern for unions, who want to ensure workers are treated fairly throughout the transition to EVs.
“The BEVs coming to our North America brands play an important role in our drive to offer clean, safe and affordable mobility for all and achieve the bold goal of carbon net zero by 2038,” stated Mark Stewart, chief operating officer for Stellantis North America.
