Stellantis N.V. and Samsung SDI have declared Kokomo, Indiana, as the site for their second battery manufacturing facility under the StarPlus Energy joint venture. This announcement shines a spotlight on the complex and evolving landscape of the American electric vehicle (EV) industry. The new StarPlus Energy plant, projected to commence production in early 2027 with an annual capacity of 34 gigawatt hours (GWh), carries with it a substantial investment of over $3.2 billion (€2.8 billion) and the promise of creating 1,400 new jobs. However, it also faces considerable hurdles and uncertainties in a rapidly evolving market. The enthusiasm for this … (read full article...)