Boston-Power Announces Plans To Build One of the World’s Most Advanced Lithium-ion Battery Manufacturing Plants in Massachusetts
Boston-Power, Inc. announced that the company is working to build what it describes as one of the world’s most advanced battery manufacturing facilities in Auburn, Massachusetts.
Extending the mass manufacturing capabilities Boston-Power already operates in Greater China, the 455,000 square foot Auburn facility would add 600 new jobs at Boston-Power and as many as 2,000 more indirectly through the extended supply chain.
The company is also providing a ‘first look’ at Swing,™ the company’s product for Plug-in Hybrid and Battery Electric Vehicles (PHEV/BEV).
Described as the only eco-certified battery of its kind, the company says that Swing is poised to drive the adoption of PHEVs and BEVs by establishing new benchmarks in energy density, long life, safety, weight, cost and environmental sustainability. More details about Swing will be made available in the coming weeks.
Enabling energy storage to continue to flourish in Massachusetts, state officials are working closely with Boston-Power to pursue state and federal financial incentives that will help the company to fulfill its plans of building the Auburn facility. With support from Massachusetts officials, Boston-Power is seeking approximately $100 million under the U.S. Department of Energy&rsquo’s advanced battery and cell manufacturing grant program established as a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The company is also pursuing funds through a proposed program allocation in the FY10 federal budget under the Defense Production Act, which encourages the building of manufacturing facilities in the United States that are important for national security reasons.
Currently, nearly all lithium-ion batteries in the world are manufactured in Asia. The Commonwealth will offer up to $9 million in matching financing to support the company’s planned manufacturing operation in Auburn.
Boston-Power selected the Auburn site based on proximity to its headquarters. This affords synergies between the company’s R&D and manufacturing teams while minimizing shipping and related employee productivity and efficiency costs. Moreover, since it is based near Boston, the location provides ready access to internationally recognized colleges and universities, unparalleled innovation, a large and diversified workforce and an established business infrastructure.
