LG Energy Solution and Honda recently held the official groundbreaking ceremony for their EV battery joint venture factory, which will be built in Fayette County, near Jeffersonville, Ohio. The two partners announced the intention to build a 40-gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery plant in August 2022, with the location being confirmed in October. In January, the joint venture was formally established, with a plan to complete the construction before the end of 2024 and start mass production of lithium-ion pouch cells by the end of 2025.
The $3.5 billion investment (the overall spending will be $4.4 billion) is progressing step by step, without any disruption. The two partners showed renderings of how the factory might look, with 40 GWh/year allowing Honda (and Acura) to produce up to 400,000 electric vehicles – assuming 100 kilowatt-hours per battery pack. The batteries from Ohio will be exclusively used in Honda and Acura models for the North American market.
To prepare for all-electric car production, Honda will invest $700 million in its factories in Ohio. This investment will re-tool several of its existing auto and powertrain plants for production of electric vehicles that will utilize the batteries made at the new JV facility. Honda plans to begin production and sales of Honda EVs in North America in 2026, based on its new Honda e:Architecture.
The joint venture, named L-H Battery Company, Inc., will provide batteries for the Honda/Acura next-generation EVs based on the company’s own solution/platform called “e:Architecture,” which will arrive in 2026. Meanwhile, Honda/Acura is expected to launch two BEVs based on the General Motors’ Ultium platform (currently also powered by LG Energy Solution’s batteries). The first Honda Prologue electric model (and Acura electric model) will be launched in 2024, with an initial annual sales target of 70,000 units.
The facility will be over 2 million sq. ft. in size and is expected to create around 2,200 jobs. With this joint venture, LG Energy Solution and Honda are taking a major step towards a greener future and a more sustainable automotive industry.
FAQ
Q1: Are electric car batteries recyclable?
A1: Yes, electric car batteries are recyclable.
Q2: Are electric car chargers free?
A2: It depends on the charger and the location. Some electric car chargers are free, while others may require a fee.
Q3: Can electric car batteries be rebuilt?
A3: Yes, electric car batteries can be rebuilt with the right tools and knowledge.
