Panasonic Energy Opens One of North America's Largest EV Battery Factories in Kansas

Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Panasonic Group, has officially opened its new cylindrical lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant for electric vehicles (EVs) near Kansas City, in De Soto, Kansas. A grand opening ceremony was held on July 14, marking a major milestone in the company’s expansion and commitment to the EV sector. The Kansas facility, Panasonic Energy’s second EV battery factory in North America, has started mass production of 2170-format battery cells and is projected to reach an annual production capacity of around 32 GWh.

 

Spanning approximately 300 acres—equivalent to over 225 American football fields—the new plant demonstrates Panasonic Energy’s long-term dedication to EV innovation through its dual-base operations in Japan and North America. This Kansas plant joins the company’s Nevada factory, which began operations in 2017 and currently produces about 41 GWh of battery cells annually. Once fully operational, the new facility will help raise Panasonic Energy’s total U.S. production capacity to roughly 73 GWh, supporting the growing demand for EVs from automotive customers.

 

Panasonic Energy is focused on developing and manufacturing high-performance, high-quality cylindrical lithium-ion batteries that meet the North American market’s requirements for range, capacity, and safety. With nearly three decades of experience in battery manufacturing and over eight years of mass production expertise at the Sparks, Nevada facility, Panasonic Energy has become a leader in advanced EV battery production. To date, the Nevada plant has delivered over 11 billion cells and employs more than 4,000 workers, making it one of the largest battery production sites in North America.

 

Building on this foundation, Panasonic Energy aims to ramp up production at the Kansas facility quickly and efficiently. Thanks to newly introduced labor-saving production lines, the Kansas plant is expected to achieve around 20% greater manufacturing efficiency than its Nevada counterpart. In the near future, the company also plans to launch next-generation battery products that use advanced materials, delivering approximately 5% higher capacity. These innovations reinforce Panasonic Energy’s commitment to strengthening the U.S. EV supply chain, boosting its competitive edge in North America, and advancing sustainable manufacturing.

 

As the largest economic development initiative in Kansas history, the new factory is expected to generate up to 4,000 direct jobs and support around 8,000 total positions, including roles in the supply chain and related industries. Panasonic Energy is partnering with institutions such as the University of Kansas to foster long-term collaboration in research, education, and workforce training—promoting economic growth in the De Soto area while contributing to the revitalization of American manufacturing and sustainable employment.

 

Kazuo Tadanobu, CEO of Panasonic Energy, stated:

“The opening of our Kansas facility represents a pivotal moment in our mission to expand battery production in the U.S. This achievement would not have been possible without the strong support of our partners and the state of Kansas. Together, we are accelerating the transition to electrification, strengthening local supply chains, and developing the next generation of battery experts. This plant underscores our commitment to the region and lays the groundwork for long-term collaboration and innovation in the U.S.”

 

Panasonic Energy’s high-capacity lithium-ion cells lead the industry with an impressive volumetric energy density of 800 Wh/L. As of March 2025, the company’s batteries have powered approximately 3.7 million EVs worldwide, with a cumulative shipment of roughly 19 billion cells. Notably, these batteries have set benchmarks in both safety and reliability—without a single recall event related to battery performance. The company remains dedicated to producing high-performance, high-reliability batteries and advancing the widespread adoption of EVs as a key part of global carbon reduction efforts.