The Lion Electric Company has officially opened its 900,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Joliet, Illinois. This facility is the largest all-electric plant in the US dedicated to the production of medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.
The company expects the plant to have a manufacturing capacity of 2,500 all-electric school buses by the end of 2023 and estimates that, at full scale, it will be capable of producing 20,000 vehicles per year, including both buses and trucks, employing around 1,400 skilled workers.
Lion Electric selected Illinois for its strategic resources, proximity to customers, and domestic supply base, aligning with the state’s sustainability goals.
The opening ceremony was attended by dignitaries, customers, media, and industry stakeholders, including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, US Senators Richard Durbin and Tammy Duckworth. The event also included nearly 150 students who had the opportunity to explore the factory and experience riding in a zero-emission LionC school bus.
Lion Electric’s manufacturing facility is considered a significant step towards emission-free solutions and a sustainable transportation sector. The company is known for its innovative spirit and driving the transformation of the transportation sector towards greener alternatives. The company’s expansion to Joliet marks the first-ever manufacturing of electric buses and large trucks in Illinois, with the state welcoming the growth of a vibrant green manufacturing sector.
