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Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (NYSE:TM) said today that it will invest ~$50 million to construct a new laboratory facility at its North American R&D headquarters in York Township, Michigan to evaluate batteries for electric and electrified vehicles in North America. Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky are the intended customers. Operations at the new battery lab are forecast to begin in 2025. (AutoInformed: Toyota to Assemble Three-Row Electric SUV in Kentucky)
“This new investment in our North American R&D operation, which has been a key pillar of the Michigan automotive industry for more than 50 years, shows Toyota’s directional shift towards electrification for all,” said Shinichi Yasui, executive vice president of Toyota Motor North America (TMNA), Research and Development.
Toyota will also work “with other North American partner suppliers to incorporate locally produced battery parts and materials in support of Toyota’s multi-pathway approach to reducing carbon emissions through its portfolio of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell and battery electric product offerings.”
Aside from battery development, other lab activities will include evaluations using Level 2 and Level 3 charging as well as connectivity to power sources and infrastructure. In related actions, chassis dynamometers at both Toyota R&D campuses in York Township and Ann Arbor are being upgraded to accommodate full battery electric vehicle evaluations.
“With increasing production for electrification coming to North America, it’s important to have local supporting infrastructure, but more importantly it enables us to invest in team members and technology development,” said Jordan Choby, group vice president of Powertrain at TMNA R&D. “This new facility also enables us to experiment and pursue new opportunities as technology and business needs advance.”
The new Battery lab will be included in Toyota’s enrollment in DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower program. This voluntary renewable energy program enables all of Toyota’s Research and Development operations in Michigan to attribute 100% of its electricity use to renewable energy projects starting in 2026. (AutoInformed: Toyota to Buy Solar Power from Former Coal Mine)
“Today’s investment by Toyota demonstrates Michigan’s leadership in pioneering the future of mobility,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “The $50 million investment in a new laboratory facility to evaluate electric vehicle batteries will create high-skilled, good-paying jobs in Saline and support efforts to help electric vehicles run longer and go farther than ever before. Last week, I announced the Make It In Michigan plan, a strategy to compete for projects, invest in people, and revitalize places. Let’s continue working to grow Michigan’s economy, bring supply chains home, and lead the future of batteries and electric vehicles.”
Tellis Bethel is group vice president of social innovation, Toyota: (AutoCrat)
“Lincoln Consolidated and Ypsilanti Community Schools, both part of Washtenaw Intermediate School District (Washtenaw ISD), are collaborating with Toyota and Eastern Michigan University (EMU) to prepare youth for the careers of tomorrow. The southeast Michigan collaboration falls under Toyota’s Driving Possibilities initiative as a five-year phased rollout in Ypsilanti and Lincoln communities,” said Tellis Bethel.
“As part of a $110 million initiative dedicated to Toyota’s Driving Possibilities, the Toyota USA Foundation is granting ~$10 million over the next five years in southeast Michigan. The initial funds will be distributed between two community partners including EMU’s College of Education for a newly created STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Institute and Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) for a transportation study.
“Our goal is to increase awareness of future STEM careers while helping build sustainable programs in the communities where our Toyota team members live and work. “It’s exciting to see the expansion of Driving Possibilities near our Michigan R&D facilities, the first location announced out of the 14 additional U.S. sites planned.
“Driving Possibilities is designed to be an equitable collaboration with schools, nonprofits and community to help all student succeed – at school and in the careers of the future. The long-term initiative from Toyota focuses on PreK-12 education, building on Toyota’s existing programs across the country. The aim is to close educational gaps for all students through innovative, hands-on STEM programming that leverages unique assets and resources in the equal-partner relationship. Driving Possibilities is designed to help increase STEM awareness, excitement and interest in a promising career in a STEM-related field while addressing the essential needs of students and families.” said Bethel.
The initiative is funded by Toyota USA Foundation, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA), and Toyota Financial Services (TFS).
“Michigan is committed to leading the future of mobility, manufacturing, and STEM and investing in our talented students,” said Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Last week, I announced the Make It In Michigan plan, a strategy to compete for projects, invest in people, and revitalize places. Toyota’s nearly $10 million partnership over five years with Washtenaw ISD and EMU to establish a community-focused STEM institute will help more skilled workers Make It In Michigan and prepare our current workforce and future STEM leaders for the high-skilled, good-paying jobs we are creating in communities across our state. Let’s continue partnering to grow our economy and make Michigan the best place to research, develop, and manufacture the technology of the future.”