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Governor Hochul Announces Electrovaya to Establish Lithium-Ion Gigafactory in Chautauqua County

Green Energy Company Plans to Create up to 250 Jobs at Its First U.S. Plant

State Funds Will Help Construct Battery Technology and Manufacturing Facility Supporting the Domestic Innovation and Commercialization of Next-Generation Battery Production

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced Electrovaya, Inc., a producer of lithium-ion batteries for transportation and utility storage, has selected the Town of Ellicott in Chautauqua County as the location for its first U.S. plant. The publicly traded company will create its newest production facility, generating up to 250 jobs and, when fully operational, producing over a GWh of batteries annually. The investment supports the broader New Energy New York initiative, whose goal is to create a National Hub for Battery Innovation and Manufacturing. 

"New York State continues to play a leading role in the research and development of advanced, cutting-edge, and innovative energy technologies," Governor Hochul said. "Thanks to state resources, Electrovaya is bringing up to 250 jobs to Chautauqua County and deepening New York's involvement in the growing clean energy sector. The race is on to capture the high-paying jobs that come with clean tech, and there is no place like New York for these manufacturers to grow, operate, and thrive." 

The company will set up operations at 1 Precision Way in an effort to tap into the robust lithium-ion battery demand for e-forklifts, e-trucks and e-buses. Electrovaya selected this southern Chautauqua County facility after determining it as the best location for the company to provide services to its growing customer base in the United States, given its skilled labor force and available renewable electricity amongst other advantages. 

CEO of Electrovaya Dr. Raj Das Gupta said, "As the United States and world enter an unprecedented phase of growth for electric vehicles and electro-mobility, lithium-ion batteries and the components within them are crucial for the industry's success. Electrovaya is proud to be bringing our sustainable technologies and approaches to New York State, as Electrovaya's first United States-based commercial facility. The facility will produce lithium-ion cells and modules, critical components for the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries. We are pleased to support the creation of high-quality jobs in Chautauqua County and look forward to our continued growth in Western New York." 

Electrovaya Inc. with industry-leading performance and substantial intellectual property, is a leader in the global energy transformation, focused on contributing to the prevention of climate change through supplying safe and long lasting lithium ion batteries. Electrovaya designs, develops and manufactures proprietary lithium-ion batteries, battery systems and battery-related products for energy storage, clean electric transportation and other specialized applications.

Empire State Development (ESD) is assisting the project with up to $4 million through the performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program and $2.5 million in Regional Council Capital Funding to establish this production and manufacturing facility for lithium-ion batteries at a former manufacturing facility, leveraging the creation of 250 new jobs and the production of 1GWh of battery and energy storage devices over the next five years. In July, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) Board of Trustees approved a more than 1.5-megawatt low-cost hydropower allocation to Jamestown under the Power Authority's Industrial Economic Development program to meet the increased electric load resulting from Electrovaya's Town of Ellicott expansion. The initial cost for the facility has been placed at approximately $75 million, and it is expected to open in the fall of 2023. 

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Electrovaya's decision to establish a new lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility in Chautauqua County marks another significant step towards reaching Governor Hochul's aggressive clean energy goals. By supporting this emerging sector, New York State is creating hundreds of jobs, while also growing our global leadership in the energy storage and advanced battery industries." 

Read the full press release here.