AESC expanding electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility in Florence

Envision AESC, a world-leading Japanese electric vehicle battery technology company, along with Governor Henry McMaster, announced its $810 million investment to build a new, state-of-the-art gigafactory in Florence, South Carolina. The 30GWh plant will create 1,170 skilled jobs in the region in its first phase, producing high performance batteries to power the next generation BMW Group’s EVs. By 2030, BMW Group will produce at least six fully electric models in its plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The investment reinforces South Carolina’s leading role as an automotive exporter and for AESC, the plant marks the next stage of growth and the next step in a multi-year partnership with the BMW Group. The new generation battery cells used in the next generation of BMW group EV vehicles will lead to 20% more energy density than the current generation, reduce charging time and increase range and efficiency for EVs by 30%.

These high-tech capabilities will increase the cost-competitiveness and technological expertise of EV battery production in South Carolina and in the U.S., making electric vehicles more accessible and affordable for motorists. The new plant will be powered by 100% net zero carbon energy, aligning with the company’s global commitment to sustainability. On June 5th, AESC announced that they were pausing construction of the Florence facility. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster pointed to federal policy and market uncertainty as the reason for the pause.