Lion Electric opens new Illinois plant

New Lion Electric plant in Joliet, Illinois.JPG

The Lion Electric Company has celebrated the official opening of its new plant in Joliet, Illinois. The 83,000 square metre (900,000 square foot) facility is described as the largest of its type in the US dedicated to production of medium- and heavy-duty EVs.

Illinois was selected as the location for the new plant due to its resources and proximity to both customers and the domestic supply base.

“We are at the forefront of a manufacturing rebirth in the United States and together with [Illinois] Governor JB Pritzker and his team, industry stakeholders and EV advocates, we are creating the next era of transportation in the Midwest, with a critical need to reduce carbon emissions, strengthen the region’s economic vitality and support sustainability,” said Marc Bédard, CEO and founder of Lion Electric.

The opening included a tour of the new facility, together with bus rides. Guests also previewed the new LionD, the company’s Type-D school bus prototype which is expected to debut later in 2023.

“Today’s event is monumental for Illinois as Lion Electric is the first company to make electric buses in the state,” said Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “Manufacturing is the single largest share of our economy and Lion will help grow a rich and historic legacy of manufacturing.”

Lion Electric reported that the plant will have capacity to produce up to 2500 all-electric school buses by the end of 2023. Maximum future annual capacity is set to reach 20,000 units, in a combination of trucks and buses.