TUCSON, AZ – American Battery Factory (ABF) has announced that Tucson, Arizona, has been selected as the site for the first of a series of battery cell gigafactories planned for the United States.
The site will serve as ABF’s official headquarters and will be the nation’s largest gigafactory for the production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells at 2 million square feet, resulting in an estimated capital investment of $1.2 billion, an economic impact of $3.1 billion in the state, and accelerating the growth of the clean energy economy nationwide.
According to the Arizona government, approximately 300 high-paying jobs will be created in the first phase of the plant’s opening, which will be expanded to 1,000 cumulative jobs. The jobs include operations, production, science and technology jobs, including research and development, automation and robotics, executive and other management positions.
“Arizona is proud to be home to American Battery Factory’s first U.S. facility and headquarters. This transformative investment once again demonstrates that Arizona is the premier destination for emerging technologies,” said Governor Doug Ducey.
The LFP battery chemistry that ABF will employ enables it to produce the safest, longest-lasting, most reliable and environmentally friendly batteries available today. By avoiding the use of nickel and cobalt, ABF’s materials are more ethically sourced and last more than twice the average performance of other batteries, making them an ideal choice for long-lasting, reliable energy storage systems.
The batteries will enable consumers, households, businesses and utilities to automate the management of their own energy inventory, gaining independence to optimize and transform energy use according to their own mandates. The energy storage made possible by ABF can power on-the-go lifestyles, off-grid living and industrial utilities, as well as industries and public sectors.
“This investment represents a generational opportunity, both for us as a company and for Tucson as a community, as a means to make energy independence a reality for everyone,” said Paul Charles, president and CEO of American Battery Factory.
“Batteries make the shift to a fully green energy economy possible. With this first factory, we will secure a strategically located company headquarters as we take the first critical steps toward making it possible to one day move the country and the entire world to 100 percent renewable energy. We are honored to begin this journey in Tucson and give back to the community through innovation, quality job creation, revenue generation and environmental protection,” added Charles.
ABF’s headquarters, to be located on 267 acres on Pima County’s renowned Aerospace Research Campus – near world-class companies such as Raytheon Missiles & Defense – will be home to innovation in energy storage, with opportunities for new technology development.
Using rapid modular construction, the company expects to have the headquarters, R&D center and initial factory module built in the next 18 to 24 months. Using state-of-the-art construction technology, the building will greatly limit on-site waste, be airtight and ensure protection of the battery cells during production.
With a high-capacity border and transportation infrastructure, Tucson fits ABF’s vision perfectly and will provide the access needed to ship batteries to nearby markets. Plans for the gigafactory are intended to enhance the city’s already growing economy and support Arizona’s business community by cultivating an environment that fosters innovation, as well as attracting and retaining residents in Tucson’s economy.
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