Indiana is taking the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) seriously. According to EDF’s and WSP’s U.S. Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Investments and Jobs report, the Hoosier State has received nearly $5 billion in EV investments over the past eight years, which has fueled the creation of more than 4,000 new clean energy jobs.
Last year, the automobile manufacturer Stellantis and electronics giant Samsung announced they would partner — now called StarPlus Energy — to build Stellantis’ first American EV battery in Kokomo, IN. The gigafactory will manufacture lithium-ion batteries for numerous vehicles and is expected to launch production in early 2025, bringing an additional 1,400 new jobs with it.
Photo Courtesy Stellantis
Recently, Stellantis announced another investment of $155 in three Indiana plants to produce electric drive modules to help power its future EVs assembled in North America. The factories include Indiana Transmission, Kokomo Transmission, and Kokomo Casting.
“There is no better business environment than Indiana to invest and build products of the future,” Brad Chambers, Indiana secretary of commerce, said in a statement. “Our state’s history in advanced manufacturing coupled with our talented workforce and focus on building a future-focused economy continues its unprecedented momentum with this latest investment.”
“Industry innovators like Stellantis continue to choose Indiana for transformational projects because of our competitive business climate, manufacturing ecosystem, and unparalleled infrastructure, in turn creating more opportunities for residents and communities across Indiana,” he continued. “We look forward to partnering with Stellantis to speed the global transition to electric vehicles and build the future of mobility right here in Indiana.”
The new gigafactory adds to Stellantis’ already-existing five powertrain plants in Indiana, and it’s already-significant billions-of-dollars inflow into the area. The financing is key to Indiana’s transition to electrification. It also helps Stellantis reach its goal of $5 million in battery-EV sales by the end of the decade, with an additional $35 billion to be invested in the industry over the next two years.
Photo Courtesy Stellantis
“With more than 7,000 employees in Indiana, these investments will leverage the core manufacturing competencies of the local workforce in the areas of casting, machining, and assembly, all of which will be needed even as the market transitions to an electrified future,” Mark Stewart, Stellantis North America COO, said in a statement. “The city of Kokomo and the state of Indiana have been great partners for many years. This community will continue to play a central role in our efforts to provide safe, clean, and affordable mobility solutions for our customers long into the future.”
“The City of Kokomo could not be more proud and excited of the decision by StarPlus Energy to bring this incredible investment to our community,” Kokomo Mayor Tyler O. Moore told The Business Download: Clean Energy.
“With Kokomo being the birthplace of Elwood Haynes’ first car, this initiative furthers our rich automotive history while placing Kokomo, once again, at the forefront of the automotive industry as it springboards into electric vehicle manufacturing.”
“This project also speaks volumes of the trust StarPlus Energy has in our local workforce and entrepreneurial spirit and places us in a great position economically for years to come,” Moore continued.
Photo Courtesy Stellantis
Stellantis and Samsung aren’t the only ones coming to Indiana. Entek, the only company in the U.S. that currently makes wet-process lithium-ion battery separator materials, will build a new production facility in Terre Haute. This facility will bring 642 new high-wage jobs to the area by 2027.
Photo Courtesy Stellantis
“Indiana has a strong tradition of advanced manufacturing — one that continues to innovate with smart technologies,” said Gov. Eric J. Holcomb. “With transformative investments from leaders like Stellantis, it is clear that Hoosiers will be at the center of the global economy, developing future-focused products that power all the different modes of transportation forward.”
