German battery system manufacturer AKASOL plans to open a production facility in Detroit, Michigan. Scheduled to begin in 2020, production will concentrate on AKASOL’s second-generation AKASystem OEM PRC battery system. The state has awarded the company a Michigan Business Development Program grant towards construction of the facility, which will create 200 jobs in the next five years, according to AKASOL.

AKASOL expects production to reach 400 MWh by 2021.

Roy Schulde, President of AKASOL’s US subsidiary, said, “Commonly referred to as the Motor City, Detroit will transform into the Electric Motor City as transportation sectors shift towards electrification. We can’t think of a better, more historic place for our first production plant in North America.”

Sven Schulz, CEO of AKASOL, said, “Not only will our new North American production facility enable us to meet the high demand we’re receiving from our global customers – particularly a well-known Swedish manufacturer of trucks, buses, construction, and marine equipment – but it is also a core part of our international growth plans.”

Source: AKASOL