Local/Regional News

Japanese e-vehicle battery company to build Kentucky plant

WUKY | By Associated Press

Published April 13, 2022 at 12:43 PM EDT

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

FILE - Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear speaks during the opening day of the Kentucky State Legislature special session in Frankfort, Ky., Sept. 7, 2021. Democratic Gov. Beshear vetoed a Republican-backed measure on Friday, April 8, 2022, that would ban abortions in Kentucky after 15 weeks of pregnancy and regulate the dispensing of abortion pills. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)

Kentucky's governor says a Japanese battery technology company will build a $2 billion factory in Kentucky, creating 2,000 jobs. Gov. Andy Beshear says the development reinforces the state’s leadership in battery production.

Beshear said Wednesday the Envision AESC plant at Bowling Green will produce battery cells and modules to power the next generation of electric vehicles. Beshear says the project cements the Bluegrass State’s leading role in the automotive industry. It follows last year’s announcement that Ford and its battery partner will build twin battery plants outside the Glendale community in central Kentucky.