On Dec. 21, 2023, the first lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs rolled off the line at Gotion High-Tech’s factory in Fremont, California. The Chinese company was established in 2006 and incorporated in California in 2014. The factory in California was previously considered an R&D facility, but now the company says it should reach an annual production capacity of 1 GWh — with batteries targeting the stationary energy storage market within the United States.

In addition, Gotion is constructing a battery factory in Illinois (annual capacity estimated at 10-GWh battery packs, 40-GWh battery cells mainly for the EV market) that should begin production this year. The company is also planning a battery cathode materials factory in Michigan.

The California facility has an 85% automation rate, with workers assembling energy storage systems ranging from 3 to 30 kWh.

“For the past decade, we have consistently adhered to a three-in-one strategy featuring localized research and development, localized manufacturing and localized marketing,” said Li Chen, senior VP of Cotion and president of Gotion Americas Business. “From the initial development of battery management systems to the present battery factory, we have encountered numerous challenges and tests. Today, we have made a name for ourselves in the Americas market, and with the help of the Illinois battery factory and Michigan material factory, Gotion will work together with customers to build a localized and diversified supply chain system characterized by a full value chain.”