Electric car battery plant won’t be built in the Twin Cities

Posted on May 26, 2022
The Kokomo plant is expected to open in early 2025. (Photo courtesy: HOI/ABC)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – Hopes have been dashed for a new Samsung electric vehicle battery factory in the Twin Cities, as Stellantis and Samsung announced they’re taking their business and $2.5 billion investment to Kokomo, Indiana.

Last August, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois joined Normal Mayor Chris Koos expressing hope the battery plant would be built near Rivian’s electric car factory in west Normal.

Wednesday night, Patrick Hoban, president and chief executive officer of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, briefly addressed the issue during a presentation at the Unit 5 School Board meeting.

“I’m sure some might have seen that today it was announced that Samsung is actually going to Indiana instead of our project here. It’s becoming more and more difficult to land deals,” Hoban said.

The joint venture is expected to generate 1,400 new jobs in Indiana.

The new factory will supply electric battery modules for a range of vehicles produced at Stellantis’ North American assembly plants.

The Kokomo plant is expected to open in early 2025.

Stellantis was formed last year with the merger of Fiat Chrysler and France’s PSA Peugeot.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected].

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