Grow Your Own: 7 Automakers Investing in North American Battery Manufacturing

In recent years, North American battery manufacturing has been a surge, which is a direct response to a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. For decades, global battery production, particularly for electric vehicles (EVs), has been heavily concentrated in Asia, with China dominating the market. However, recent disruptions—exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions—have highlighted the risks of over-reliance on a single region for critical components like lithium-ion batteries. As the world shifts toward greener energy and transportation, securing a local, resilient supply chain has become a strategic imperative for North American countries.

Governments are driving this change through legislation and incentives aimed at reshoring critical industries. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the U.S. and other policies across Canada and Mexico offer substantial subsidies for domestic production, helping to attract massive investments in battery factories. Beyond economic incentives, national security concerns play a significant role. Dependence on foreign battery supplies poses risks not only to automotive industries but also to national energy infrastructure. The North American region's push for energy independence reflects a broader trend of reducing vulnerability to global market fluctuations and political instability abroad.

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Additionally, the growth of battery manufacturing in North America addresses environmental and ethical concerns. With the emphasis on local production, there is a stronger push to ensure more stringent environmental standards and ethical sourcing of raw materials. This contrasts with existing supply chains where issues like labor exploitation and environmental degradation have been major concerns. As the global shift toward electrification accelerates, North America is positioning itself as a dominant player in both the technological advancements and the security of the future energy landscape, ensuring a stable, sustainable, and autonomous supply of batteries.

Read on to learn about seven companies—all automakers—that are investing heavily in North American battery manufacturing.