The second electric vehicle battery joint factory of Samsung SDI and Stellantis has been selected to be located in Kokomo, Indiana.

Samsung SDI and Stellantis announced on the 11th that they have chosen the site for the second plant of their joint venture, Starplus Energy, near the site of the first plant, which is currently under construction, announced in July.

The joint venture aims to complete the ‘Starplus Energy Kokomo Gigafactory’ with a total production capacity of 67GWh. The first plant will have a scale of 33GWh, expected to start operations in the first quarter of 2025, while the second plant will have a capacity of 34GWh, slated to begin around early 2027.

Kokomo, where Starplus Energy’s gigafactory will be established, is home to the Stellantis parts manufacturing plant, and it is expected to become a stronghold for Stellantis’ electrification strategy in the future.

Choi Yoon-ho, CEO of Samsung SDI, stated that “The construction of the second Starplus Energy plant has enabled us to establish the largest electric vehicle battery production base in North America,” adding, “We hope that the Stellantis brand electric vehicles equipped with Samsung SDI’s cutting-edge technology batteries will accelerate the transition to an electric vehicle era in the U.S.”

Mark Stewart, COO of Stellantis North America, remarked that “Through our collaboration with Samsung SDI and the state of Indiana, we have achieved the remarkable feat of setting up our sixth gigafactory in Kokomo,” and added, “Stellantis electric vehicles supplied to North America will play a crucial role in realizing an eco-friendly, safe, and reasonably priced mobility for everyone.”

Eric Holcomb, Governor of Indiana, mentioned that “The promise made by Stellantis and Samsung SDI will double our investments and jobs, which will significantly impact Kokomo and Indiana for decades,” and he noted, “This investment decision will serve as a catalyst for Indiana to lead innovation and advancement in future mobility and to drive the global economy.”

Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr