Panasonic Holdings, a major supplier of batteries to electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla Inc., has revealed that it is considering constructing a battery plant in Oklahoma, marking its third facility in the United States. This decision follows surging sales of electric vehicles, with an increasing number of EV makers, beyond longtime customer Tesla, now looking to the Japanese conglomerate as a possible battery supplier.
According to reports, Panasonic has been in talks with Stellantis and BMW about building a new EV plant in North America, as the company seeks to expand its operations in the region. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the company is actively considering these opportunities.
This is not the first time that Oklahoma has been in contention as a location for a new Panasonic facility. The state was considered as a potential site for the company’s second EV battery plant earlier this year, but Kansas was ultimately selected instead. In selecting Kansas, Panasonic was able to secure investment of up to $4 billion, creating up to 4,000 jobs in the state.
Despite the previous rejection, Panasonic continues to explore opportunities for expansion and job creation in the United States. The company’s consideration of Oklahoma as a potential location for its latest battery plant marks a continued interest in the region, and a growing recognition of the state’s potential for investment and growth in the electric vehicle sector.
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