As Rivian continues its preparations to begin deliveries of their first vehicles, the automaker has confirmed plans to build a second manufacturing facility in the United States.
The potential project was confirmed by company spokesperson Amy Mast, who said the plans were progressing but still in the early stages. Four other people familiar with the matter also confirmed the plans with Reuters.
“While it’s early in an evolving process, Rivian is exploring locations for a second U.S. manufacturing facility,” Mast said.
The new facility would be built upon the same framework as Rivian’s current manufacturing facility is in Normal, Illinois. Additionally it would also include a battery cell production plant that will be built in phases and capable of producing 50 gigawatt-hours (GWh) annually.
A product and technology center was also included in documents seen be Reuters.
“We look forward to working with a supportive, technology-forward community in order to create a partnership as strong as the one we have with Normal,” Mast added.
The project documents reveal any proposed site would need to be 2,000 acres in size and would need to reach net-zero carbon emissions as soon as possible.
Several states have reportedly placed a big on what the automaker is calling “Project Tera.” A decision on the location was initially planned for the summer, but the ongoing effects from the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed that
Related: Rivian R1T deliveries delayed until September
A final decision could be announced this fall, with construction beginning early in 2022.
