YORK TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Toyota Motor Corp. said today it will spend about $50 million to build a new battery laboratory at its North American R&D headquarters in York Township, Mich.
Operations at the new lab are scheduled to begin in 2025. The lab initially will draw employees from the R&D facility. Toyota didn’t specify how many people will be employed at the new lab but said the headcount may expand over time.
“It is a moving target,” Chris Reynolds, an executive vice president of Toyota Motor North America, said during today’s announcement. “We build these things so they’re useful for 50 years, not two or three.”
Toyota said the lab will work with current battery production and engineers will examine new battery configurations for future products.
The investment is part of Toyota’s plans to increase its electric vehicle capabilities. The Toyota City, Japan-based automaker has announced a series of related to EVs. They include plans to spend $5.9 billion on a battery plant in North Carolina. The automaker plans 10 EV models by 2026.
Public officials present at the announcement said the lab helps Michigan as it seeks to attract EV investments by automakers.
“We need to build EV batteries here at home,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell, who represents a southeastern Michigan district in Congress. “Today’s announcement really does matter.”
Toyota is “placing a bet on Michigan,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The battery lab will help the transition from internal combustion engines to EVs, she said.
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