LOS ANGELES, Sept 5 (AFP): US electric automaker Tesla Motors is to build the world's largest lithium-ion battery plant in Nevada, the state's governor announced Thursday, unveiling plans for the five-billion-dollar "Gigafactory."
The plant, plans for which were announced in July with Japanese electronics giant Panasonic, will bring nearly $100 billion dollars into Nevada's economy over the next 20 years, he said.
It will employ 6,500 workers directly and another 16,000 indirectly, and add some four per cent to Nevada's Gross Domestic Product, Governor Brian Sandoval announced, in what he called a "historic day" for the western US state.
The deal with Tesla "will change Nevada forever and set in motion the creation of thousands of new job and stream billions of dollars into our economy," he said at a ceremony with Tesla boss Elon Musk.
"No need to say that this is a significant, historic day for all of us," he added, while noting that the deal is subject to legislative review and approval.
When completed, he said, the plant will be the "world's largest and most advanced battery factory."
Nevada was in competition with four other states bidding to host the factory: California, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
Tesla picks Nevada for $5b battery plant
FE Team | Published: September 06, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
Share if you like