Photo posted on Gotion's website shows the exterior of the office building of Gotion at 48660 Kato Road, Fremont, California. (Credit: Gotion)
"This new facility will be a game-changer in our state's economy, creating new jobs and showing our continued commitment to making Illinois a renewable energy manufacturing powerhouse," said Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
CHICAGO, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Gotion announced on Friday that it is building a new electric vehicle (EV) lithium battery manufacturing plant in Manteno, U.S. state of Illinois.
Covering approximately 150 acres, the plant will focus on lithium-ion battery cell, battery pack production, and energy storage system integration, according to a press release issued by the Illinois governor's office.
The plant is expected to begin production in 2024, to produce 10 GWh of lithium-ion battery packs and 40 GWh of lithium-ion battery cells, and will create over 2,600 jobs for local residents, the press release said.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and local leaders and officials joined the EV battery maker's groundbreaking ceremony in Manteno, a township about 80 kilometers south of Chicago, on Friday, hailing the project as a significant step forward for Illinois in growing its EV ecosystem and supply chain.
"With 2,600 new jobs, a 2-billion-dollar gigafactory, and the most significant new manufacturing investment in Illinois in decades, it's the most recent proof that we are in a new paradigm. Illinois is on the rise, and we're open for business," Pritzker said.
"This new facility will be a game-changer in our state's economy, creating new jobs and showing our continued commitment to making Illinois a renewable energy manufacturing powerhouse," said Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
"When we come to Illinois, we are not building a new factory but are planning to reuse an existing one and bring it back to life again as our way of cherishing and conserving resources," said Li Zhen, chairman of Gotion High-tech. "We believe that Gotion's battery technology will help to boost e-mobility in North America and the economic and trade exchanges between China and the U.S."
Gotion selected Illinois to locate its EV battery plant after a competitive nationwide search. The plant will help bolster the supply chain and meet growing demand for batteries across the EV sector, including Gotion's partners as well as additional EV manufacturers across North America, according to the press release.
Gotion will receive an incentive package from the state of Illinois, as well as other incentives, for the EV plant, the release said, adding that the company has also been approved by local authorities for property tax abatement for 30 years, and is eligible to receive tax benefits totaling 213 million dollars over 30 years. ■