Photo: Texas Governor's Office
Elon Musk has cut the ribbon on a new battery plant in Texas that will some day power his Tesla cars. The first-of-its-kind factory will produce battery-grade lithium.
"Battery-grade lithium actually has to be extremely precise because if you have any impurities it causes degradation of the battery," said Musk.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Greg Abbott thanked Tesla for choosing Nueces County as the location for the state-of-the-art lithium refinery, noting that the new facility will generate $375 million in capital investment and bring more than 400 new good-paying jobs to Texans in the region.
“Texas is proud to be the home of Tesla, and I thank them for choosing Robstown for their new lithium refinery,” said Governor Abbott. "Texas will continue to be a hub of innovation, leading the way on the future of technology. With the Port of Corpus Christi nearby and Tesla’s Gigafactory in Austin, the lithium refined here will work its way into Tesla batteries all over the world. I want to thank Judge Scott, Mayor Gomez, and other local leaders for bringing such a great company to this wonderful city. Working together, we will power the Texas of tomorrow.”
Addressing the crowd of over 100, the Governor congratulated economic development leaders at the state and local level for attracting world-renowned innovators to Texas and securing Texas' own lithium refining production, powering the future of the state for generations to come. Governor Abbott also presented a proclamation to Musk, commemorating the new lithium refinery and recognizing Tesla’s investment in South Texas.
The first of its kind in North America, Tesla’s new refinery will produce battery-grade lithium and house battery materials processing, refining, and manufacturing operations for the company’s product line.