The Gold Coast is gearing up to house Australia’s first cutting-edge manufacturing plant for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and chargers, as eLumina’s $20 million facility nears completion.
Scheduled to commence operations by August 2024, this facility will produce 300 lithium batteries annually and cater to the demand for EV chargers nationwide, the company said in a media release.
In particular, this initiative is poised to create 300 local jobs and serve as a cornerstone for Queensland’s ambitions to lead in advanced battery manufacturing and research.
CEO Lisa Marsh stressed the importance of manufacturing critical EV technologies like chargers and batteries locally, highlighting their significance for Australia’s energy future.
“Through battery storage we can capture this energy and ensure reliable and cheaper off-grid power to all Australians,” Marsh noted.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate lauded eLumina’s choice of location, underscoring the city’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for high-tech manufacturing and renewable energy projects.
“eLumina choosing the Gold Coast as home for Australia’s first factory building both lithium community batteries and EV chargers shows our city has the right settings, ambitions and support for businesses for advanced manufacturing to thrive,” he stated.
eLumina’s collaboration with Addelec (formerly Gemtek), a leading installer of EV charging stations, aims to expedite the deployment of EV infrastructure across the country.
Chris McPherson, general manager of Addelec, pointed out the benefits of local production, noting, “Producing EV chargers in Australia will make it easier to meet demand and to support the exciting transformation to more sustainable transport.”
Meanwhile, Marsh emphasised the broader impact of local manufacturing, stating, “By producing this technology in Australia, we can provide families with cheaper power and give more people confidence to drive an EV.”
