Lion Electric opens electric vehicle plant in Channahon
CHANNAHON, Ill. (WLS) -- Lion Electric's new plant making all-electric vehicles like trucks and school buses opened Friday in southwest suburban Channahon.
The creation of this electric vehicle plant is going to generate an estimated 1,400 and produce up to 20,000 vehicles per year. This is major news for Illinois and the greater Chicago area.
"Lion Electric and the state of Illinois are leading the way when it comes to commercial electric vehicles and it's very clear to me, more than ever right now," Lion Electric CEO Marc Bedard said.
The creation of Lion Electric's new plant in Channahon is the first dedicated vehicle assembly plant in the Chicago metro area since 1965.
"I am just beaming with pride that this important work is being doing right here in Joliet," said Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville.
This facility is 900,000 square feet and is the largest U.S. plant dedicated to assembling all-electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles, including school buses.
Gov. JB Pritzker, Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and other local leaders attended the grand opening Friday.
"This new facility delivers a tremendous boost for Illinois' clean energy economy and our environmental leadership, too," Pritzker said.
The new plant will also create new internships once it's up and running for students.
"Illinois is already well on her way to being the nation's leader when it comes to green manufacturing. Now, we're going to take it to the next level and be a global leader as well," Duckworth said.
