Rivian plans to build a second electric vehicle plant in the United States

The electric vehicle maker plans to build a second factory. The company can manufacture battery cells as well as electric vehicles at the plant, if this materializes. Rivian could make an announcement in the next few months and reports that construction could start next year.

Rivian spokeswoman Amy Mast confirmed to the organization that the company “is exploring locations for a second manufacturing plant in the United States.” Mast noted that this was early in the process and did not share any further details.

The company’s first plant is in Normal, Illinois. employs about 7,000 people and a second plant would likely create hundreds of new jobs, which appears to be the reason several states are said to have made offers.

An additional plant would allow Rivian to increase capacity and have a 50 gigawatt-hour battery cell production line, according to the report. The location may also have a product and technology hub, and construction should be phased. Meanwhile, Rivian would aim to achieve net carbon emissions at the plant as quickly as possible.

Last week, Rivian picked up the pickup for a few months in September and the R1S SUV in the fall. He blamed the effects of COVID-19 as a major factor. The pandemic has also resulted in a change in the schedule of the second plant, according to Reuters.