Vancouver, BC - January 13, 2025 - From the German Canadian Business News Desk with WBN News, we bring you an exciting update on Volkswagen’s groundbreaking EV battery cell gigafactory in St. Thomas, Ontario. Amidst news of cutbacks in Germany, the St. Thomas plant represents a beacon of innovation and progress, showcasing Canada’s growing role in the future of sustainable energy.

On April 21, 2023, Volkswagen Group and PowerCo SE announced their first-ever North American EV battery cell gigafactory in collaboration with the Canadian, Ontario, and municipal governments. Dubbed the largest gigafactory ever, this facility is a testament to Canada’s leadership in renewable energy and battery cell production. Spanning an area equivalent to 210 football fields for the factory and 850 football fields for the industrial park, this project is a literal game-changer in scale and ambition.

Owned by Volkswagon Group and headquartered in Germany, PowerCo announced it will launch a Canadian subsidiary named PowerCo Canada Inc., also in St. Thomas, to direct operations in North America. PowerCo Canada’s is now busy with setting up a local office in downtown St. Thomas, hiring staff and signing servicing agreements with local providers such as Hydro One, WSP and Turner & Townsend for electricity transmission, general design and project management consulting, respectively.

The St. Thomas Gigafactory will feature six production blocks with the capacity to generate 90 gigawatt hours annually—enough to power 1 million EVs each year. Beyond the production numbers, the plant promises to create up to 3,000 highly skilled jobs, with the potential for tens of thousands more indirect jobs in construction, supply chain, and local businesses. The factory is being built in St. Thomas because of its access to clean electricity and local raw materials, as well as its proximity to major cities and talent. 

Volkswagen plans to introduce 25 new EV models by 2030, and St. Thomas will play a pivotal role in meeting the battery cell demand. Powered by PowerCo SE, Volkswagen’s battery subsidiary founded in 2022, this gigafactory symbolizes a shift toward sustainable mobility and global battery production leadership.

Despite recent financial challenges leading to cutbacks in Germany, the St. Thomas plant stands as a testament to Volkswagen’s commitment to innovation and growth. It also highlights Canada’s emergence as a key player in the green energy transition. With its massive scale, cutting-edge technology, and workforce impact, the St. Thomas Gigafactory is poised to charge Canada’s EV future—and beyond.

Connect with Elke at Westcoast German Media

or on LinkedIn: Elke Porter.

#Volkswagen #St Thomas Gigafactory #German Canadian Business News #EV Revolution #Sustainable Energy

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