North Carolina Construction News staff writer
EV battery technology company AESC has announced an $810 million expansion at its battery cell facility in Florence County, South Carolina. Construction is expected to be completed by 2026.
As part of a multi-year partnership with BMW, AESC will supply technology-leading battery cells to be used in the next generation electric vehicle models produced at Plant Spartanburg. This advanced battery format will result in 20% more energy density than the current generation, reduce charging time, and increase range and efficiency for electric vehicles by 30%.
The new commitment follows AESC’s initial announcement in December 2022 of $810 million and 1,170 jobs, resulting in a total investment of $1.62 billion investment and 1,620 new jobs.
“Our partnership with Florence County and the State of South Carolina has exceeded our expectations and we are proud to commit to creating additional high value jobs for this great community for years to come,” said AESC US managing director Jeff Deaton. “As we continue to make significant strides towards the development of high-performance, longer-range batteries to propel the EV transition in the U.S., we are excited to have Florence County as a partner on this journey with us.”
The company will expand its existing facility which is currently under construction — located in the more than 1,000-acre Florence Global Technology and Commerce Park — to increase production levels.
An additional $50 million in state general economic development bonds will support of the expanded project to offset the costs of additional off-site infrastructure and site preparation, subterranean construction support, and an expanded training center.
“With today’s announcement, the total number of new jobs announced by AESC will exceed 1,600 and result in new capital investment in excess of $1.6 billion in our community,” said Florence County Council Chair Willard Dorriety. “This investment is truly commendable and will significantly contribute to the vitality of our local economy. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with AESC in the years to come.”