The long-anticipated EV battery plant in Windsor, the joint venture between Stellantis and LG Energy Solution—known as NextStar Energy—has officially completed construction and secured its occupancy permit.
With an investment of roughly CAD 5 billion and a facility footprint of 4.23 million square feet, the plant is built to produce up to 49.5 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery cells and modules annually — enough to power hundreds of thousands of electric vehicles per year.
NextStar expects to create about 2,500 jobs in Windsor and beyond. While lower-scale module assembly has already started, full in-house cell production is slated to begin later in 2025. The completion marks a significant milestone for Canada’s EV market.
EV Battery Plant is a Step Towards Accessible EV Options in Canada
This development comes at a pivotal moment as Canada continues to press forward with EV sales mandates and decarbonization goals. Canada’s federal and provincial mandates set targets for zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales, aiming for a rising share of new vehicle sales to be electric or hybrid over the next decade. The success of such mandates depends heavily on having domestic supply chains, including battery production, to reduce dependency on imports and ensure stable supply.
The completion of this EV battery plant in Canada helps to strengthen that domestic backbone. It addresses supply chain vulnerabilities, reduces transportation and tariff risks, and gives automakers more confidence to invest aggressively in EV models for the Canadian market.
However, scaling production capacity is only part of the equation. To fully realize the ambitions behind EV mandates, Canada must also expand charging infrastructure, grid capacity, and energy storage. For many Canadians, hesitancy to adopt EVs still stems from concerns over charging access and upfront cost. Building out fast chargers, improving grid resilience, and offering varied EV models across price brackets will be critical complements.
In essence, NextStar’s completion marks a landmark step — not the finish line. It underscores that Canada is serious about meeting its EV mandate commitments. But for everyday Canadians to reap the benefits, policymakers and industry must double down on infrastructure investments, equitable access, and a diverse EV marketplace.
To reach our collective goal, Canadian companies need to work together to improve accessibility on all fronts. Visit our website to learn more about our commitment to affordable EV charging solutions fit for every need.
