Toyota Motor North America has announced plans to assemble an all-new, three-row, battery electric SUV at its Kentucky plant, set to roll off the assembly line in 2025. This will be the auto giant’s first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) assembled in the U.S., and its batteries will be sourced from Toyota’s North Carolina battery plant.
The battery plant, currently under construction, is set to receive a significant boost, with Toyota committing an additional $2.1 billion to bolster the facility’s development. The move forms part of Toyota’s overarching drive towards achieving carbon neutrality.
Toyota North America’s CEO, Ted Ogawa, stressed the company’s commitment to cutting carbon emissions at the earliest opportunity, citing the necessity for customers to access a broad array of options tailored to both their current and future needs.
The Kentucky plant, the company’s largest in the U.S., is gearing up for a leading role in the auto giant’s carbon reduction efforts, alongside the nascent North Carolina plant, set to become a crucial hub in Toyota’s BEV and battery production push.
With six battery production lines scheduled to be operational by 2025, the plant is set to become a key player in the production of lithium-ion batteries for Toyota’s growing portfolio of electrified vehicles. This brings the total investment in Toyota North Carolina to $5.9 billion.
The investment underscores Toyota’s belief in the potential of electric vehicles and its commitment to designing, engineering, and producing vehicles that are fit for the market.