AUTO

Toyota To Make Battery Electric Vehicle in the U.S.

June 4, 2023

Toyota will be building an all-new, three-row BEV starting in 2025, with assembly happening in Kentucky.
This upcoming SUV will use batteries built at Toyota’s North Carolina plant.
A new $2.1 billion investment in the Toyota plant will go toward new infrastructure for this electrified expansion.

Toyota is making big strides toward electrifying their vehicle lineups here in the U.S. Starting in 2025, they will assemble a new three-row, battery electric vehicle at their Kentucky plant, and it’ll be an SUV. This will be the brand’s first EV produced in the States, and it will be powered by batteries from Toyota’s new North Carolina plant.

Kentucky as the Launching Site

Choosing to assemble a battery electric vehicle in Kentucky means that Toyota believes in the future of EVs, but it will thankfully also mean that this new SUV will be eligible for federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

“Toyota Kentucky set the standard for Toyota vehicle manufacturing in the U.S. and now we’re leading the charge with BEVs,” said Susan Elkington, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky. “Our incredible team of Kentuckians is excited to take on this new challenge while delivering the same great quality and reliability that our customers expect.”

And here’s what Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear had to say: “This is incredible news that furthers Kentucky as the center of the electric vehicle sector. … Toyota has long been a vital part of the automotive industry in the commonwealth, and now the company is positioned to help lead us into the future. I want to thank the company’s leaders for their commitment to our state’s incredible workforce, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Toyota and Kentucky.”

North Carolina for Battery Power

Toyota’s investment in North Carolina is massive: They are injecting $2.1 billion into their battery manufacturing plant, solidifying North Carolina’s position in the clean energy economy. The facility will serve as Toyota’s hub for producing lithium-ion batteries for their expanding lineup of electrified vehicles, with production set to begin in 2025.

This battery-making facility will be Toyota’s hub for developing and producing the lithium-ion batteries it needs for EVs. And with this recent $2.1 billion investment, Toyota’s total investment in North Carolina is now $5.9 billion.

“Toyota’s significant investment in our state, now nearly $6 billion, is terrific news and more evidence that North Carolina is a leader in the clean energy economy,” said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. “Toyota believes in our world-class workforce to power its future success and I appreciate this enormous commitment here.”