PowerCo Canada has officially begun construction on its landmark gigafactory in St. Thomas, Ontario — a $7 billion investment that will establish the country’s largest electric vehicle (EV) battery plant and anchor its position in the global EV supply chain.
Highlights
- Construction begins on PowerCo’s 850,000-square-foot gigafactory, led by Magil Construction Canada Inc.
- Steel erection by Canadian partner Steelcon to commence within weeks, marking rapid project progress.
- Thousands of jobs expected, with local recruitment already attracting over 100 applications.
- Facility to produce PowerCo’s Unified Cell battery technology for global EV platforms.
Major Milestone for Canada’s EV Future
The St. Thomas facility represents PowerCo’s third and largest global gigafactory, reinforcing the company’s commitment to North American EV battery manufacturing.
“Electric vehicles are the future of the global automotive sector, and we’re proud to spearhead such a significant investment,” said Frank Blome, CEO of PowerCo SE. “We aim to build a global battery champion with a strong footprint in Europe and North America.”
Canadian-owned Magil Construction Canada Inc. is leading foundational work across three main buildings—covering 850,000 square feet and requiring more than 32,000 cubic meters of concrete and 4,850 metric tonnes of rebar.
National and Provincial Support
The project has garnered strong federal and provincial backing as part of Canada’s broader EV and clean manufacturing strategy.
- Melanie Joly, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry:
“PowerCo’s new facility strengthens domestic EV battery production and supports a cleaner, more sustainable economy.” - Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario:
“This once-in-a-generation investment proves Ontario has everything needed to build the most competitive economy in the G7.” - Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade:
“PowerCo is moving swiftly to bring this project to life, recognizing Ontario’s world-class workforce and advanced manufacturing leadership.”
Economic Impact in St. Thomas
Local leaders have praised the project’s transformative potential.
“This is a major milestone for our region,” said Rob Flack, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London. “PowerCo’s gigafactory cements our region as a leader in clean technology and the electric vehicle revolution.”
Joe Preston, Mayor of St. Thomas, added, “The excitement is palpable. This project is already delivering prosperity and hundreds of local jobs.”
About PowerCo Canada
Founded in 2022, PowerCo SE is a Volkswagen Group subsidiary focused on next-generation battery cell production. Headquartered in St. Thomas, PowerCo Canada oversees all battery operations in North America. The new facility—PowerCo’s largest globally—will produce Unified Cell battery technology to serve Volkswagen’s global EV platforms, with production slated for 2027.
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