Скачать или смотреть Electric vehicle battery plant to be built in Windsor

Premier Ford says the province and the federal government worked together to secure Canada's largest auto investment. But so far neither has said just how much money the taxpayer is putting towards the $5 billion dollar project.

Automaker Stellantis and South Korean battery-maker LG Energy Solution have announced they will build a large-scale electric vehicle battery plant in Windsor.

The more than $5-billion investment is the largest in Canada's automotive manufacturing history.

Auto expert Brendan Sweeney says an investment of this size moves the industry in the right direction. "Cements Windsor and southern Ontario more generally as part of the most important international ecosystem in the world."

In a pre-recorded message, prime minister Trudeau said the announcement is an important one in Canada's fight against climate change. "The world is moving to cleantech and this is Canada's time to lead the way."

While three levels of government are contributing, it's unclear just how much. Premier Ford says he can't divulge that information saying, "it would compromise negotiations moving forward with other companies as well but it's a massive investment and it's hundreds of millions of dollars."

The battery facility will supply Stellantis plants in North America and will create 2,500 new jobs in Windsor.

Ontario opposition leaders are calling for more incentives to entice drivers to purchase an electric vehicle.

Construction of the new 4.5 million square foot plant is set to start this year. It's goal is to be fully operational by 2025.

While in Windsor, the chief operating officer for Stellantis said the automaker also plans to build a second battery plant in the United States but the location has yet to be released.