Toyota is electrifying Michigan with the new Battery Center of North America.

The 30,000-square-foot facility’s main goal is to bring long-lasting batteries to market. This facility will test raw materials, how the batteries work in cars, and how batteries are recycled.

Toyota’s Battery Hub for the Future

Rendering of the new battery center; Photo: Toyota

The Saline center will work closely with Toyota’s manufacturing network. Specifically, it will support battery testing for the Toyota Battery Manufacturing plant in North Carolina, as well as vehicle factories across North America.

“Toyota has long been at the forefront of battery development,” said Keita Moritsu, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Toyota Motor North America R&D. “This center is where that leadership expands to North America — and where we’re building its next chapter.”

Locally, Michigan leaders emphasize how important the battery center is for the community.

“Today is a big win for Michigan’s leadership in advanced automotive manufacturing,” said Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “We are proud to welcome this investment by Toyota that positions Michigan as the best place to build the future. This state-of-the-art facility will develop, test, and improve the batteries powering the next generation of vehicles. It joins factories and projects opening across our state that are creating good-paying, high-skilled jobs in every community.

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Gov. Whitmer added, “Let’s keep working together to build the future of cars, chips, batteries, and so much more right here in Michigan.”

What This Means for Drivers

The engineers and technicians are testing batteries and creating new technology for hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen, and fully electric vehicles. According to Toyota, having this facility changes how it finds solutions to issues.

“For Toyota customers, this facility means Toyota engineers can detect and resolve field concerns faster and closer to the source,” said Jordan Choby, Group Vice President of Powertrain. “It also means we can develop longer-lasting batteries designed to perform in the conditions American drivers face every day.”

Toyota is also sharing the space with the University of Michigan Electric Vehicle Center. Toyota is a founding member of that center, and this partnership is a way to help train the next group of battery engineers and technicians in Michigan.