AESC Group, a Japanese EV battery technology company, has recently initiated the construction of a state-of-the-art battery plant in Florence County, South Carolina. Spanning an impressive 1.5 million square feet, the facility is expected to commence commercial operations by 2026, providing a significant boost to the local community with the creation of 1,170 new jobs.
This new battery plant, with a capacity of 30 GWh, represents an expansion of AESC’s existing battery manufacturing network in the United States. AESC already operates a plant in Tennessee, while another facility is currently being built in Kentucky. Once all three plants are completed, they will collectively have an annual capacity of up to 70 GWh, playing a pivotal role in driving the transition to electric vehicles by supplying U.S.-made batteries and components.
The Florence site holds strategic importance as it supports AESC’s multi-year partnership with BMW Group, which was announced in October 2022. As per the agreement, AESC will supply cutting-edge battery cells for the production of next-generation electric vehicle models at BMW’s Spartanburg plant.
The advanced battery format developed by AESC will offer a remarkable 20% increase in energy density compared to the current generation. This innovation will result in reduced charging times and significantly enhanced range and efficiency, with an improvement of 30%.
In line with AESC’s global commitment to sustainability, the new manufacturing plant will operate entirely on clean energy. Leveraging the net-zero solutions provided by its partners, AESC plans to implement renewable energy generation systems, carbon management and reduction software, and an efficient battery recycling system. These initiatives will expedite the achievement of carbon neutrality across the entire battery value chain.
AESC also places great emphasis on sourcing responsible materials for its batteries and ensures full transparency regarding the extraction methods employed. The company is increasingly utilizing recycled materials, leading to a noteworthy reduction in carbon dioxide emissions during cell production at the new plant.
Jeff Deaton, AESC U.S. Managing Director, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “This groundbreaking marks another significant milestone in AESC’s commitment to investing in South Carolina and manufacturing electric vehicle batteries. AESC continues to be a global leader in developing next-generation EV battery technology, and we are proud to expand our capacity for producing these innovative products in U.S. facilities, thus accelerating the transition to clean energy transportation.”
