LG Energy Solution announced today that it has officially started production of EV batteries in its new facility in Lansing, Michigan. This 226-acre plant will be instrumental in providing EV battery cells and modules to key products from some well-known car brands.

The 226-acre facility has had more than $2 billion of investment, and currently employs 900 people. At maximum capacity, this facility will employ 1,700 people and produce up to 35 GWh of production per year.

LGES says that this factory will serve a pivotal role in Michigan’s manufacturing capabilities, producing cells and large-scale battery storage solutions for different brands.

One of the most notable clients for this factory is Toyota. LG will produce nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) lithium battery modules for the upcoming all-electric three-row Toyota Highlander. These cells will travel to the Georgetown, Kentucky plant, which shows a big investment in America’s EV supply chain. A major part of the Highlander’s supply chain will stay here in the country.

But the facility doesn't just produce NMC cells and packs. LG will also build lower-cost lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cells for energy storage systems, with Tesla as a key customer.

This is great news for EV production and for manufacturing jobs. LGES plans to have 50 GWh of battery production capacity all over North America. This includes not just the Lansing plant but also LG’s other plants in Holland, Michigan, Nextar Energy plant in Windsor, Ontario and an upcoming facility in Arizona among its North American footprint. The figure also includes joint-venture plants, like the Ultium cell plant in Tennessee, and LG's partnership with Honda in Ohio.

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