Canada's first lithium-ion electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing plant is coming to Windsor, Ont., as part of a $4.9-billion joint-venture deal between Stellantis and LG Energy Solution, federal and provincial officials announced Wednesday.
The operation is set to create 2,500 jobs in the region, with each level of government offering incentives for the project.
The companies say they've "executed binding, definitive agreements" to establish the factory, set to have an annual production capacity of 45 gigawatt hours.
Stellantis chief operating officer Mark Stewart said the facility will supply a "substantial amount" of EV batteries.
"This battery plant is going to supply across North America for us as one of two that we have envisioned," said Stewart, adding the factory's proximity to the U.S. makes Windsor an ideal location for business.
Stellantis plans to announce their second EV battery manufacturing plant, which will be in the U.S., in the coming weeks.
Stewart said Windsor's new facility will be the size of about 112 NHL hockey rinks, with Champagne calling it Canada's first gigafactory.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/automotive-announcement-windsor-1.6393463
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/electric-vehicle-battery-plant-windsor-1.6394444