Japan’s Toyota Motor Corporation is planning to build a new battery plant for electric vehicles (EVs) in Fukuoka, located in the southwestern region of Japan. The Nikkei business daily reported that the batteries produced at this plant would be supplied to a factory that manufactures luxury Lexus brand cars. This move aims to make the island of Kyushu, where Fukuoka is situated, a key part of Toyota’s supply chain for battery-powered vehicles and an export hub for Asia.
A spokesperson from Toyota acknowledged awareness of the report but mentioned that the company had not officially announced these plans. Toyota has been working on enhancing its EV battery production capacity, as part of its broader initiative to strengthen its position in the electric vehicle market.
Expansion Plans for Lexus EVs
Toyota currently produces Lexus vehicles at the Miyata plant, operated by its subsidiary Toyota Motor Kyushu. The automaker has previously announced plans to introduce electric vehicles with next-generation batteries globally starting in 2026. These EVs will be manufactured by its dedicated unit, BEV Factory.
The company’s ambitious goal is to achieve annual sales of 3.5 million EVs by 2030, with nearly half of these expected to be produced by the BEV Factory. In 2023, Toyota sold 104,000 EVs, indicating a significant ramp-up in production and sales in the coming years.
The specifics regarding the investment amount for the new battery plant and the start date for construction are still under discussion. The Nikkei report did not disclose the source of its information. The plant is expected to be operated by Primearth EV Energy, another Toyota subsidiary specializing in batteries for hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and fully battery-powered vehicles.
| Toyota EV Battery Plant Plans | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Fukuoka, Japan |
| Associated Brand | Lexus |
| Target Sales by 2030 | 3.5 million EVs annually |
| 2023 EV Sales | 104,000 units |
| Planned Production Start | 2026 (next-generation batteries) |
| Operated By | Primearth EV Energy |
| Toyota Subsidiary Involved | Toyota Motor Kyushu, BEV Factory |
Featured Image courtesy of The Japan Times
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