Eve Energy has commenced production at its newly built Malaysian plant, marking a key milestone in the Chinese lithium battery maker’s international expansion, the company announced on Friday.
The facility, located in Kulim District, Kedah, saw its first battery unit roll off the assembly line on February 16. It is Eve Energy’s first overseas factory and its 53rd globally. “The Malaysian plant is the first step in Eve Energy’s expansion in overseas markets and is a key step in the company’s efforts to connect with the world,” the company said.
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The factory specializes in manufacturing 21700 cylindrical batteries, primarily for power tools and electric two-wheelers, with an annual production capacity of 680 million units. Eve Energy stated that the plant would strengthen its ability to meet international demand, particularly in Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America.
Eve Energy first announced its investment in Malaysia on October 20, 2022, through its subsidiary, Eve Energy Malaysia Sdn Bhd, pledging up to $422.3 million for the cylindrical lithium battery manufacturing project. Construction began in August 2023, and in early 2023, the company also revealed plans to establish an energy storage business in Malaysia and secure land for a second-phase plant.
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Beyond Malaysia, Eve Energy is also expanding in Europe. In June 2023, the company disclosed plans to invest over $1 billion in an EV battery plant in Debrecen, Hungary, with a construction timeline of four years.
Eve Energy is one of China’s leading battery manufacturers, ranking sixth in domestic EV battery installations in January with 1.53 GWh and a 3.95% market share, according to data from the China Automotive Battery Innovation Alliance (CABIA).