Toyota has officially opened its first lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility in North America, marking a significant expansion of its U.S. manufacturing footprint. Located in Liberty, North Carolina, the plant represents a $13.9 billion investment and is Toyota’s first facility in the region dedicated to battery production.
When fully built out, the facility is expected to have a production capacity of 30 gigawatt-hours (GWh), enough to support battery supply for hundreds of thousands of vehicles annually. Early operations, however, are focused on producing batteries for hybrid electric vehicles rather than fully battery-electric models. Toyota’s approach reflects its broader “multi-pathway” strategy, which emphasizes a mix of vehicle technologies, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric vehicles.
The Liberty plant began shipping hybrid battery modules to Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky, assembly facility earlier this year. Batteries produced in North Carolina are currently supplying several models, including the Camry, Grand Highlander, Corolla Cross, and the upcoming RAV4. Three of the plant’s planned 14 production lines are already operational, with additional lines under installation.
In addition to hybrid batteries, the facility is expected to support future battery-electric vehicle production. Toyota has indicated that the plant will supply batteries for a planned three-row electric SUV expected later this decade. Unlike many battery plants that focus only on cell production, the Liberty facility will handle cell manufacturing, material processing, and module and pack assembly on-site.
While the plant’s full capacity may take time to reach given current market conditions, the opening represents a notable development in domestic battery manufacturing and reflects ongoing investment in a range of vehicle technologies within the U.S. auto industry.