KC charges ahead as electric revolution hub

Electrification is taking hold as the world seeks ways to reduce its carbon footprint and innovate in electric intelligence, most notably within the automotive industry. With the rising demand for electric vehicles (EV), the global EV battery market continues to grow, with an estimated value of $56.4 billion in 2022 and an expected value of $134.6 billion by 2027. In North America, the electric vehicle battery manufacturing capacity in 2030 is projected to be nearly 20 times greater than in 2021. 

Kansas City is experiencing this growth and investment firsthand. In July 2022, Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., announced plans to build one of the largest EV battery manufacturing facilities of its kind in the United States in De Soto, Kan. The planned megaproject is expected to create up to 4,000 new jobs and result in an investment of up to $4 billion, which represents the largest economic development project in Kansas history.

Construction on the facility began in November 2022, with mass production of batteries planned for Q1 2025. The facility’s capabilities and economic impact, along with KC’s strengths as a major automotive hub, make the region a key player in the North American EV industry. 

In addition, the newly opened single terminal at Kansas City International Airport is powered by an all-electric power system. This includes wireless charging pads for KCI's fleet of electric buses, the first system of its kind at a municipal international airport. KCI is the first LEED Gold-certified terminal/concourse project in the Midwest and only the second in the U.S.  

At KC SmartPort’s upcoming Annual Industry Briefing: Electric Revolution, Ajay Gnanasekaran, director of strategy and program management with Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., and Chris Ruckman, vice president of energy storage with Burns & McDonnell, will examine how the electrification of the automotive industry and other sectors will have a trickle-down effect across the supply chain. Diving into how Kansas City’s infrastructure, workforce and location enable the region to quickly respond to the evolving needs of the EV industry.

Learn more and register for KC SmartPort’s Annual Industry Briefing: Electric Revolution on April 12.