Stellantis is set to establish a second battery manufacturing plant in Kokomo, Indiana, as part of a joint venture with Samsung SDI. This new facility, operating under the banner of the US StarPlus Energy Gigafactory, is a crucial component of Stellantis’ strategy to supply batteries for upcoming electric vehicles, such as the 2025 Ram 1500 REV BEV and the 2024 Charger Daytona SRT Electric Muscle Car.
The joint venture’s ambitious plans include an investment exceeding $3.2 billion to construct the new plant adjacent to the existing one in Kokomo. The combined annual production capacity of the Kokomo plants is projected to reach an impressive 67 gigawatt hours. Operations at the second plant are scheduled to commence in 2027, with an anticipated creation of 1,400 new jobs. The collective investment for both facilities will surpass $6.3 billion and lead to the generation of 2,800 total new jobs. It’s worth noting that Stellantis has plans for four additional battery plants on a global scale, with one already slated for Windsor, Canada.
Mark Stewart, Stellantis COO North America, emphasized the critical role of their battery ecosystem in electrification, underscoring the partnership with Samsung SDI, the state of Indiana, and the city of Kokomo. Their collaborative efforts have paved the way for the establishment of the sixth gigafactory in Kokomo, contributing significantly to Stellantis’ commitment to providing clean, safe, and affordable mobility for all while striving to achieve carbon neutrality by 2038.
Yoon-ho Choi, President, and CEO of Samsung SDI, highlighted that the construction of the second StarPlus Energy battery plant represents a significant milestone for the company, establishing its largest production base for electric-vehicle batteries in North America. Samsung SDI is confident that Stellantis vehicles powered by their batteries, incorporating advanced technologies, will play a crucial role in accelerating the transition to electric vehicles in the United States.
Despite the monumental announcement, there was no mention of the UAW (United Auto Workers), which is currently engaged in strikes against all three major Detroit-based automakers, including Stellantis. The UAW’s objective is to organize and represent workers in the battery production facilities.
Governor Eric Holcomb of Indiana expressed his enthusiasm about the positive impact of Stellantis and Samsung SDI’s commitment, doubling capital investment, creating new jobs, and catalyzing innovation in Kokomo and the state of Indiana. This initiative positions Indiana at the forefront of developing the future of mobility, strengthening the state’s global leadership in the evolving automotive landscape.
Stellantis’ electric vehicle plans have faced criticism for their perceived delay in entering the EV market. The Ram 1500 REV BEV is set to debut two years after the Ford F-150 Lightning, and Chevrolet’s Silverado EV is scheduled for release later this year. However, as part of the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, Stellantis aspires to achieve a 50% sales mix of battery-electric passenger cars and light-duty trucks in the United States by 2030.
Additionally, Stellantis subsidiaries like Wagoneer are preparing to introduce smaller, fully electric SUVs such as the Wagoneer S, while Jeep is planning to unveil a smaller Recon SUV EV.
The automotive industry anticipates significant developments as Stellantis and Samsung SDI embark on this groundbreaking journey to bolster the electric vehicle ecosystem and accelerate the transition to an era of electric mobility.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Nook Explorer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.