ONE Project Further Positions Detroit as the Global Epicenter of Mobility
Takeaways
- Homegrown battery tech trailblazer Our Next Energy (ONE) to build gigafactory with $1.6B investment, 2,100+ jobs in the Detroit Region.
- Michigan’s Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve Fund delivers bulk of $236 million in incentives to support the project.
- Detroit Regional Partnership supported ONE with site identification in Southeast Michigan and will provide talent support as the company hires and trains its future workforce.
The Detroit Region’s title of “Global Epicenter of Mobility” just received a huge jolt from a new gigafactory that’s poised to deliver cutting-edge energy storage technology that will allow electric vehicles (EVs) to travel 600 miles on a single charge.
That’s enough to drive round trip from Detroit to major cities such as Pittsburgh, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Toronto without having to recharge.
The technology making this possible was developed by Novi-based Our Next Energy (ONE), a homegrown startup company that has developed Gemini – a novel dual chemistry architecture that pairs two battery chemistries within one battery pack to enable the 600-mile range.
ONE plans to produce the battery platform in a new 659,589-square-foot facility – dubbed “ONE Circle” – to be constructed in Van Buren Township. The project is expected to create more than 2,100 jobs and $1.6 billion in investment while helping keep the region and the state as the innovation center for the transition to EVs.
“ONE is thrilled to select Michigan for our first cell factory, due to the state’s unique combination of battery talent, proximity to material supply and access to low-cost energy,” ONE CEO and founder Mujeeb Ijaz said.
ONE uses safe, sustainable, low-cost battery chemistries for consumer and commercial EVs, in addition to developing technology for stationary storage – particularly around utility-scale energy storage systems.
“This is the type of innovation needed for widespread adoption of EVs and further proof that if you want to lead the automotive and mobility future, you need to be in the Detroit Region,” said Maureen Donohue Krauss, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership.
”˜We’re the Global Epicenter of Mobility, and Proud of It’
ONE’s announcement reflects the type of innovation that inspired the local application to the Build Back Better (BBB) Regional Challenge, which recently awarded a DRP-led coalition a $52.2 million grant for the Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM) initiative.
In addition to doubling the range of EVs and providing safer batteries less prone to fires, the company’s long-term vision is to achieve vertical integration for American energy storage manufacturing by working to develop a robust and resilient domestic supply chain for critical minerals – something that strikes to the heart of the BBB grant program.
“Up and down the supply chain, from startups to mid-size companies to Fortune 500 OEMs, the Detroit Region is home to pioneers like Our Next Energy who continue to push the envelope on cutting-edge battery, EV and advanced mobility technologies,” Krauss added. “We’re the Global Epicenter of Mobility and proud of it.”
Founded in 2020, by Ijaz, OUR has grown to 160 employees in less than three years as it set out with the goals of doubling the range of EVs, using safer more sustainable raw materials and strengthening the local supply chain.
“Less than 3 years ago, Our Next Energy didn’t even exist, and today they’re announcing a $1.6 billion dollar investment for a factory that’s delivering cutting-edge battery technology they developed right here in Southeast Michigan,” said Justin Robinson, senior vice president of business development at the DRP.
“It’s an incredible story for our region. There are not many places in the world that can develop and produce this level of transformational innovation that quickly,” he added.
”˜Perfect example of government, communities, and business working together’
Landing ONE’s expansion project, reflects a collaborative statewide economic development push that included: Aerotropolis, DTE, MICHauto, Michigan Economic Development Corp., Van Buren Township, and Wayne County.
In support of the project, the Michigan Strategic Fund board approved a total of $236.6 million in state incentives through the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (“SOAR”) Fund, a Jobs for Michigan Investment Fund Loan, and a State Essential Services Assessment Exemption.
A vocal supporter of creating SOAR, the Detroit Regional Partnership assisted ONE as it selected Southeast Michigan over several other states, voiced its support of the project to the MSF, and is providing talent solutions resources to help ONE secure the workforce it needs.
The news came after the legislature’s passage of $850 million for SOAR fund and DTE’s recent electric rate for large industrial projects.
“Today’s announcement is a perfect example of what can happen when state government, local communities and businesses work together to bring economic development to the state to create new, good-paying jobs in Michigan,” said Jerry Norcia, DTE Energy chairman and CEO.
Glenn Stevens Jr., executive director of MICHauto and vice president of automotive and mobility initiatives at the Detroit Regional Chamber applauded the news.
“MICHauto and the Detroit Regional Chamber have been working with ONE for some time now. The company and its growth plans demonstrate how important it is for new companies to innovate, research, and test in Michigan. Now, they will manufacture next-generation mobility battery technology in the place they were founded.”