Envision AESC, a world-leading Japanese electric vehicle battery technology company, along with Gov. Andy Beshear, announced today its $2 billion investment to build a new, state-of-the-art gigafactory in the Kentucky Transpark in Warren County.
The 30GWh plant will create 2,000 skilled jobs in the region, producing battery cells and modules to power the next generation EVs produced for multiple global automotive manufacturers.
The new strategic partnership with Kentucky and Warren County provides up to $116.8 million from state incentive programs and up to $5 million grant-in-aid for skills training.
Warren County Judge/Executive Mike Buchanon said: “I am so grateful for the work that was started years ago through Chamber initiatives like South Central Kentucky Launch to ensure that our future workforce is prepared to meet the community’s growing talent demands. It’s this type of forward thinking that attracts world-class companies like Envision AESC.”
Gov. Andy Beshear said with this investment, Envision AESC will generate a 30GWh site, which increases Kentucky’s production to 116GWh, making the commonwealth the nation’s top producer of electric vehicle batteries.
“Envision AESC is making the second largest economic development investment Kentucky has ever seen, investing $2billion to build a new, state-of-the-art EV battery gigafactory in Bowling Green,” Beshear said. “Even better: This project will create 2,000 great jobs of the future for residents in the Warren County region.”
At the press conference announcing the project, several legislators spoke, including Senate President Robert Stivers, Speaker of the House David Osborne, Sen. Mike Wilson and Rep. Michael Meredith.
The legislators, who were involved in bringing Envision AESC to Warren County, praised the collaborative efforts with local leaders, specifically Buchanon, who will be retiring in the fall after serving 28 years as judge/executive in Warren County.
“Mike… I’ve seen the changes over 28 years,” Sen. Wilson said. “People say what’s special about Bowling Green and Warren County. Well, our mayor is here today, Todd Alcott, and our governments work together. As you can see, this is a result of that collaboration, and Mike is a collaborator. He doesn’t care who gets the credit. He just wants to get it done for our citizens of Warren County and Bowling Green, and he’s done a great job of doing that over the years.
“We’re excited, and this is like a crown jewel, Mike, on your last year of service,” Sen. Wilson added of the project.
The investment cements Kentucky’s leading role in the automotive industry of the future, according to the Governor’s office. For Envision AESC, the facility marks the next stage of growth. The company will produce new generation battery cells with 30 percent more energy density than the current generation, reduced charging time and increased range and efficiency for EVs, powering up to 300,000 vehicles annually by 2027.
These high-tech capabilities will increase the cost-competitiveness and technological expertise of EV battery production in Kentucky and in the U.S., making electric vehicles more accessible and affordable for motorists. The gigafactory will be powered by 100 percent renewable energy, supplied by onsite generation and purchased locally from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), ensuring the plant helps drive progress toward decarbonizing the state’s industrial sector.
The plant will be approximately 3 million square feet and marks one of the largest economic projects in the commonwealth’s history. Selected for its strong automotive manufacturing base, skilled workforce and excellent infrastructure, Kentucky is already the nation’s No. 1 producer of cars, light trucks and SUVs per capita and the center of Auto Alley in the U.S.
As the latest investment by Envision AESC to help scale up EV manufacturing capabilities in strategically important regions, the plant follows last year’s announcements to build gigafactories in Douai, France, and Sunderland, UK. This brings Envision AESC’s total capacity to approximately 150GWh worldwide and advances its commitment to reach 300GWh by 2026. As with Bowling Green in Kentucky, all plants will be powered by low carbon energy and digitally enabled with smart infrastructure software to optimize the energy footprint.
As an integral part of its global strategy, Envision AESC works collaboratively with businesses, supply chains, academic institutions and governments to accelerate the transition to zero emissions mobility in the coming decades. Envision AESC has committed to achieve net zero carbon emissions in all global operations by 2022 and carbon neutrality across the whole value supply chain by 2028.
About TVA:
The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that provides electricity for business customers and local power companies serving nearly 10 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA receives no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation.
