The Toyota Battery Center of North America (TBC) in Saline, Michigan, is officially up and running. With the 30,000-square-foot facility, Toyota North America and its Michigan-based teams can further evaluate and develop technology across the full battery-development cycle, from sourcing raw materials and customer applications to recycling and more.
TBC’s expanded capabilities support Toyota’s multi-pathway strategy by enabling a range of sustainable mobility solutions for customers. On site, teams of engineers and technicians assess battery performance and develop new technologies for use in a number of vehicles, including:
==> Hybrids
==> Plug-in Hybrids
==> Fully Electric Vehicles
==> Hydrogen Applications
“For Toyota customers, this facility means Toyota engineers can detect and resolve field concerns faster and closer to the source,” said Jordan Choby, Toyota Group Vice President of Powertrain and previous guest on AV Radio. “It also means we can develop longer-lasting batteries designed to perform in the conditions American drivers face every day.”
The opening of TBC also represents the latest milestone in Toyota’s more than 50-year history with the state of Michigan.
“This state-of-the-art facility will develop, test, and improve the batteries powering the next generation of vehicles,” 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.”
“Toyota has long been at the forefront of battery development,” added 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.”
Furthermore, Toyota will open the facility to entities like the University of Michigan Electric Vehicle Center, allowing other research partners to benefit from its testing and evaluation capabilities.
“As a founding member of the Electric Vehicle Center, this program is part of Toyota’s commitment to developing the next generation of battery engineers and technicians in Michigan,” the automaker said in a statement.
