Mazda has revealed plans for a new battery plant in Japan that will focus on assembling cylindrical cells into modules and battery packs, which will be integrated into an upcoming electric vehicle built on a dedicated platform.
Situated in Iwakuni City within Japan’s Yamaguchi Prefecture, the facility is expected to achieve an annual production capacity of 10 GWh, according to Mazda.
This development follows an agreement between the automaker and its battery supplier, which was initially announced in June 2023 and later received regulatory approval in Japan by September 2024.
Mazda has already introduced electric and range-extended versions of its MX-30 and is also collaborating with China’s Changan Automobile on the EZ-6 electric sedan.
However, the automaker clarified that the battery modules and packs produced at this new facility are intended for its first electric vehicle built on a dedicated EV platform, which will also be manufactured in Japan.
This likely points to the electric SUV that Mazda previously confirmed for release in 2027 during an announcement in November 2024.
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Expansion of Battery Production and Future EV Strategy
The original battery supply agreement with Panasonic referenced North American cell production, which is expected to take place at a newly planned factory in De Soto, Kansas.
Since discontinuing the MX-30 in this market, Mazda has yet to introduce another all-electric vehicle but has expressed interest in making adjustments for future EV offerings.
The company has also suggested that adopting cylindrical battery cells could enhance efficiency. These cells are already used by Tesla and Lucid—two EV manufacturers known for industry-leading range—with Panasonic serving as a key supplier for both brands.
Other manufacturers are also moving toward cylindrical cells. BMW anticipates substantial efficiency improvements in its Neue Klasse EVs through their use, while General Motors has hinted at incorporating them as part of its broader approach to battery cell flexibility.