Panasonic Opens One of the Largest EV Battery Plants in North America
On July 14, 2025, Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., a Panasonic Group company, announced that it officially opened its new cylindrical lithium-ion battery factory for electric vehicles (EVs) in De Soto, just outside Kansas City. Marking one of the largest automotive battery plants in North America, the grand opening ceremony celebrated a major milestone in Panasonic Energy’s global expansion.
The Kansas Factory, built on 300 acres (about the size of 225 football fields), has already started mass production of 2170 cells and plans to reach an annual capacity of 32 GWh. Together with its Nevada Factory — which has operated since 2017 and now produces approximately 41 GWh annually — Panasonic aims to boost its total U.S. battery production capacity to about 73 GWh.
Kazuo Tadanobu, CEO of Panasonic Energy stated, “The opening of our Kansas Factory marks a major milestone in our journey to scale advanced battery production in the United States. This achievement would not have been possible without the strong support of our local partners and the State of Kansas. Together, we are accelerating the shift to electrification, reinforcing regional supply chains, and nurturing the next generation of battery talent. This facility represents not only our commitment to the region but also a foundation for long-term collaboration and innovation in the U.S.”
Allan Swan, President at Panasonic Energy of North America, said: “We’re in the final stretch. After years of planning and execution, Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America’s EV battery factory in De Soto, Kansas is almost ready to welcome our partners to celebrate this momentous achievement.”
“From day one, our goal has been clear: to support demand for EVs and to accelerate the growth of clean energy transportation. That mission is about to come to life,” Swan continued. “But this factory is more than a place where battery cells are made. It means jobs, innovation, and forward momentum—De Soto and surrounding communities, for our industry, and for the country’s clean energy future. Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey; we’re nearly there. Let’s finish the end of the beginning strong.”
This new facility underscores Panasonic Energy’s long-term commitment to supporting North American EV growth. By leveraging nearly 30 years of lithium-ion battery expertise and the Nevada Factory’s proven track record of over 11 billion cells delivered, the Kansas plant is designed to be even more efficient. Thanks to advanced, labor-saving production lines, productivity is expected to be roughly 20% higher than in Nevada.
Panasonic plans to introduce new materials that will increase cell capacity by about 5%, further strengthening its position as a leader in high-performance, high-quality cylindrical batteries.
As the largest economic development project in Kansas history, the plant is expected to create up to 4,000 direct jobs and approximately 8,000 jobs overall, revitalizing the local economy and advancing the U.S. manufacturing sector. Panasonic Energy is also partnering with the University of Kansas and other institutions to develop specialized talent and promote industry-academia collaboration.
Panasonic’s batteries have powered about 3.7 million EVs worldwide, with a strong safety record — no recalls to date — and an industry-leading energy density of 800 Wh/L. With this Kansas expansion, Panasonic Energy reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the domestic EV supply chain, accelerating CO₂ emissions reductions, and driving a more sustainable future.
