The future of the automotive industry is electric, literally. With the rise of the electric-vehicle (EV) industry and the rapid growth of companies directly supporting this new market, Kentucky has wasted no time positioning itself as a national leader within the EV market in the U.S.
Kentucky’s momentum in the EV and battery sector is no accident. The combination of large-scale projects from some of the industry’s largest companies, coupled with various announcements directly contributing to the supply chain and logistical support of the sector, has set the commonwealth up for incredible growth within this electric market.
“The EV and battery infrastructure we are creating is going to not only make Kentucky an industry leader in this field, but also attract quality companies and jobs for Kentuckians for decades to come,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “The commonwealth has an unbelievable number of resources that make it the perfect location for anyone focused on growth within the EV and energy storage industries. We are going to be the nation’s top producer of electric-vehicle batteries, and that is only the beginning. We will continue to attract and invest in innovative companies that will help grow, support and supply the EV industry. The future is now in Kentucky, and we are here to stay.”
Within the past 14 months, the commonwealth has announced the two largest economic development projects in its history, and together they have established Kentucky as the new EV battery capital in the U.S.*
In August, Beshear joined state and local officials and representatives from Japan-based Envision AESC to break ground on a $2 billion, state-of-the-art gigafactory in Bowling Green’s Kentucky Transpark. The 30 gigawatt hour (GWh) plant is creating 2,000 skilled jobs in South Central Kentucky to produce battery cells and modules that will power up to 300,000 next-generation EVs by 2027 and will be manufactured for multiple global automotive manufacturers.
“Bowling Green has for many decades played a leading role in the automotive industry,” said Jeff Deaton, managing director of Envision AESC U.S. “The decision to center Envision AESC’s investment in Kentucky was an obvious choice to us, in large part because of the readiness of the skilled workforce required to deliver a project of this scale and importance. Today, batteries are fast becoming a strategically important industry, powering the U.S.’s move to electric vehicles and, importantly for Kentucky and Bowling Green, powering the economy and jobs.”
The announcement of the Envision AESC investment came just months after Kentucky’s first game-changing EV battery project. In September 2021, Beshear and executives from Ford Motor Co. and SK On announced the BlueOvalSK Battery Park in Hardin County. The transformational $5.8 billion project is set to create 5,000 jobs in the heart of the state and will be home to two battery plants to power the next generation of Ford and Lincoln electric vehicles.
While these announcements have helped secure Kentucky as an EV industry leader nationally, several other projects will support the electric vehicle and battery industry and ensure Kentucky's sustained success in this market.
Leaders at Ascend Elements, a producer of advanced, sustainable battery materials made from recycled lithium-ion batteries, announced in August 2022 they will invest $310 million and create 250 full-time jobs in Christian County. Thanks to more than $480 million in federal grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy to support increased production of EV batteries and associated materials in the U.S., the project will now include a nearly $1 billion investment and create more than 400 full-time jobs to establish the company’s largest U.S. operation, known as Apex 1.
“Clean energy and climate technology industries are bringing good jobs to communities across the country, and we couldn’t be happier with our decision to locate our Apex 1 facility in Southwest Kentucky,” said Ascend Elements CEO Mike O’Kronley. “We’re building something in Kentucky that doesn’t exist anywhere in the U.S. – a domestic source of sustainable lithium-ion cathode material for EV batteries.”
The location will house the company’s innovative Hydro-to-Cathode process, a closed-loop direct precursor synthesis manufacturing system that generates no toxic waste and minimal carbon emissions. The operation will produce enough recycled battery precursor and sustainable cathode active materials to equip up to 250,000 electric vehicles annually. Ascend Elements’ Kentucky operation will serve a range of EV-related customers and build on current partnerships, including with American Honda Motor Co., EcoPro Group and SK Battery America.
In January 2022, Piston Automotive LLC, a provider of automotive assemblies, including advanced electric- and hybrid-vehicle battery systems, increased the scope of a previously announced Jefferson County expansion that now includes 117 full-time jobs with a $26.3 million-plus investment. The expansion includes a new production line and increased capabilities to support the growing market demand of the EV industry in Kentucky and throughout the region.
Leveraging its unique mix of central geographic location, logistics strength and skilled workforce, the commonwealth has established itself as not just an excellent landing spot for EV-related companies for decades to come, but as the premier destination for one of the fastest-growing and most important industries of the future.
* According to Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
