Very little activity is seen at the EV battery plant site in east Windsor, after Stellantis confirmed construction had stopped, May 15, 2023. Photo by Mark Brown/WindsorNewsToday.ca.Very little activity is seen at the EV battery plant site in east Windsor, after Stellantis confirmed construction had stopped, May 15, 2023. Photo by Mark Brown/WindsorNewsToday.ca.
Windsor

Announcement to save Windsor's EV battery plant expected soon

Windsor-Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk confirms his government is in the "advanced stages" of negotiations with Stellantis on an agreement to continue construction on Windsor's EV battery plant.

Construction on the module plant stopped abruptly almost two weeks ago when Stellantis accused the federal government of not living up to its promises.  Work on the battery cell plant has continued.

Stellantis said it was assured on numerous occasions the federal government would provide the same support it would get through the American Inflation Reduction Act if it moved the plant to the U.S.

"I can tell you that the conversations, negotiations, are in an advanced stage and we are moving towards an agreement," said Kusmierczyk. "I have maintained since day one, we will have an agreement and we will have a battery plant built in Windsor. That I am 100 per cent confident about."

Last Friday, Premier Doug Ford said his government was beefing up its $500-million commitment and called on Ottawa to do the same.

"It's about partnership, it's about all levels of government working together. I was pleased to see that the Ontario government finally came to the table, that was an important move and that's what gives me confidence we're going to get this agreement done in a short fashion," said Kusmierczyk.

* With files from Maureen Revait.

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