Toyota has opened the Toyota Battery Center of North America (TBC), a 30,000-square-foot battery development and evaluation facility in Saline, Michigan. According to Toyota Motor North America, the center gives its Michigan-based battery teams the ability to evaluate and develop technology across the full battery-development cycle, from sourcing raw materials to customer applications to recycling. The company opened the facility this week.
Highlights
- 30,000-square-foot development and evaluation hub at Toyota’s R&D campus in Saline, Michigan
- Four powertrain types in scope: hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen, and fully electric vehicles
- More than 50 years of Toyota history in Michigan, with TBC marking the latest milestone
- University of Michigan Electric Vehicle Center to receive facility and research access
What Will the Toyota Battery Center Do?
TBC serves as a central hub for battery development and evaluation, working in partnership with Toyota’s North American manufacturing network. The center supports battery evaluation for Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina, as well as Toyota’s vehicle manufacturing plants across North America.
“Toyota has long been at the forefront of battery development,” said Keita Moritsu, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Toyota Motor North America R&D. “This center is where that leadership expands to North America — and where we’re building its next chapter.”
Battery Development Across Toyota’s Multi-Pathway Strategy
The company says TBC’s capabilities support its multi-pathway strategy, which spans several powertrain types rather than a single technology. Engineers and technicians on site assess battery performance and develop new technologies for hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen, and fully electric vehicles.
Toyota frames the center’s customer benefit around field-issue response and battery durability.
“For Toyota customers, this facility means Toyota engineers can detect and resolve field concerns faster and closer to the source,” said Jordan Choby, Group Vice President of Powertrain. “It also means we can develop longer-lasting batteries designed to perform in the conditions American drivers face every day.”
Michigan Ties and University Research Access
TBC is the latest step in Toyota’s more than 50-year history in Michigan. Governor Gretchen Whitmer framed the opening as part of the state’s push in advanced automotive manufacturing.
“Today is a big win for Michigan’s leadership in advanced automotive manufacturing,” said Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “We are proud to welcome this investment by Toyota that positions Michigan as the best place to build the future. This state-of-the-art facility will develop, test, and improve the batteries powering the next generation of vehicles. It joins factories and projects opening across our state that are creating good-paying, high-skilled jobs in every community. Let’s keep working together to build the future of cars, chips, batteries, and so much more right here in Michigan.”
Toyota will also open the facility and research access to the University of Michigan Electric Vehicle Center, letting other research partners use its testing and evaluation equipment. Toyota is a founding member of the Electric Vehicle Center. The company says the program is part of its effort to develop the next generation of battery engineers and technicians in Michigan.
