Japanese lithium-ion battery manufacturers have reaffirmed their commitment to the US market following Donald Trump's victory in the November 2024 presidential election. At the opening session of Benchmark Week 2024 in Los Angeles, representatives from major Japanese cell makers emphasized that their long-term strategies and investments in the US would remain unchanged despite potential policy shifts under the new administration.
Robert Winans, head of supply chain at Panasonic North America, stated that their immediate goal is to have over 50% of their supply chain North America-based by the end of the decade, with 100% of manufacturing to be done in the US between facilities in Nevada and Kansas. Panasonic is currently developing a second 34 GWh facility in Kansas, set to begin production in 2025.
Similarly, Evan Leon, Senior Project Manager at Toyota Tsusho America, confirmed that their $14 billion, 35 GWh cell and module manufacturing facility project in North Carolina would proceed as planned. This facility is intended to produce batteries for various electrified powertrains, not just battery electric vehicles.
The commitment from Japanese manufacturers comes despite Trump's vocal criticism of electrification targets and his desire to repeal some incentives provided by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). However, industry analysts note that over $110 billion has already been invested in electric vehicle and battery supply chain projects since 2022, suggesting a degree of momentum that may be difficult to reverse.
