Due to uncertainty surrounding electric vehicle demand in North America, the start of operations at the battery plant being built in St. Thomas, Ontario has been pushed back by two years, now set for 2029.
This update was shared on Thursday by Power Co Canada, a part of the Volkswagen Group.
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The company stated that it is “aligning the project’s timeline and product strategy with evolving market demand,” along with advancements in EV technology and the automaker’s long-term goals. They plan to incorporate next-generation battery tech by then while keeping options open for future growth.
Photo: Power Co
“The St. Thomas gigafactory remains a cornerstone of our North American strategy,” said Joel Karlsberg, Chief Procurement Officer at Power Co Canada. “We are continuing to build now while determining how and when the facility scales over time.”
He emphasized: “This is about getting the pacing right-not stepping back-to protect our long-term investment, support regional jobs, and position Canada, Ontario, and St. Thomas to benefit in a dynamic and evolving market.”
The announcement also includes the selection of Canadian construction firm Ellis Don Corporation as the general contractor for the St. Thomas factory, which is ready to begin its next phase of construction. Work on this project started in 2025. Up to 1,300 workers will be involved in bringing this site to completion.
Photo: Power Co
The St. Thomas battery plant was originally announced in 2023 with an estimated cost of $7 billion and expected public funding totaling $13 billion over ten years, promising up to 3,000 jobs created.
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