Today, Stellantis N.V. and Samsung SDI revealed Kokomo, Indiana as the chosen location for their next battery production facility in the U.S., operating under the StarPlus Energy joint venture banner. This upcoming StarPlus Energy facility is slated to commence operations in early 2027, boasting a yearly capacity of 34 gigawatt hours (GWh). The collaborative venture is set to pour over $3.2 billion (€2.8 billion) into this initiative, generating 1,400 employment opportunities in Kokomo and nearby regions. The combined investment for both plants is projected to exceed $6.3 billion (€5.5 billion), resulting in 2,800 new jobs overall.
Kokomo is already home to an ongoing StarPlus Energy gigafactory project. The first gigafactory is projected to be operational by the initial quarter of 2025, with an annual output of 33 GWh.
Yoon-ho Choi, President and CEO of Samsung SDI, stated, “Through construction of the second battery plant of StarPlus Energy, Samsung SDI will be establishing its largest production base for electric vehicle batteries in North America. We expect Stellantis brand vehicles powered by Samsung SDI batteries featuring supreme technologies to contribute to accelerating the U.S. transition to an era of electric vehicles.”
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb remarked, “Today’s commitment from Stellantis and Samsung SDI will double the capital investment, the new jobs created, and the impact this joint venture will have on Kokomo and the state of Indiana for decades to come. This decision puts Hoosiers squarely at the center of innovating and developing the future of mobility, catalyzing Indiana’s leadership position in tomorrow’s global economy.”
Under the umbrella of the Dare Forward 2030 strategy, Stellantis has vocalized its goal of achieving a 100% battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales ratio in Europe and a 50% BEV sales ratio for passenger cars and light-duty trucks in the U.S. by 2030. In pursuit of these sales benchmarks, the firm is locking in around 400 GWh of battery capability. By 2038, Stellantis aims to attain a net zero carbon footprint across all areas, with a single-digit percentage offset for any residual emissions.
Source: Stellantis