ElectraMeccanica Vehicles Corp., a Canadian designer and manufacturer of environmentally efficient electric vehicles (EVs), recently broke ground on its first U.S. based assembly facility and state-of-the-art engineering technical center in Mesa. The expansion represents the third groundbreaking for an electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Arizona since 2019. The new facility is expected to create up to 500 high-tech, high-wage jobs.
"Today marks a momentous occasion for our company," said Paul Rivera, CEO, ElectraMeccanica. "The new engineering technical center and assembly facility will be a showcase for ElectraMeccanica and also give us the ability to provide the US retail and fleet market a 'made in the USA' product with Arizona labor. We are thrilled to become a part of the Mesa community, the greater Phoenix Metropolitan area and Arizona. We are excited to bring jobs here to hundreds of families."
Sitting across 18 acres of land near the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, ElectraMeccanica's state-of-the-art engineering technical facility will feature both a light vehicle assembly plant along with multiple labs to support vehicle, chassis and power electronics testing as well as comprehensive research facilities. Part of an investment of over $35 million, the 235,000 square foot facility will provide space for local assembly of the brand's flagship electric vehicle, SOLO. The new facility is part of ElectraMeccanica's ongoing expansion plan and is scheduled for completion in Spring 2022.
"Today is a momentous day for ElectraMeccanica and the State of Arizona," said Sandra Watson, President & CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. "Our electric vehicle industry is booming - with three manufacturing groundbreakings in just the last 16 months and more suppliers on top of that. We're grateful to ElectraMeccanica for choosing Arizona as their first U.S.-based facility and look forward to supporting them long into the future."
"ElectraMeccanica breaking ground on their U.S. base of operations solidifies Greater Phoenix as America's EV manufacturing hub," said Chris Camacho, President & CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. "There is no better place to scale, innovate, manufacture and find skilled talent to meet the demand of advanced industry. We look forward to watching ElectraMeccanica's continued success, and working with Gov. Ducey, the Arizona Commerce Authority and City of Mesa to support the company's expansion."
"ElectraMeccanica made an excellent decision in choosing to locate its first U.S.-based facility in the Mesa Gateway area," said Mesa Mayor John Giles. "It's an ideal location with easy access to two major freeways, the Gateway Airport and the ability to draw from Mesa's talented workforce."
ElectraMeccanica also expects this new facility to generate second order effects that will positively impact the local and state economies. In addition to strong consumer interest in the SOLO EV, the Company has seen growing interest in commercial fleet and utility applications. Beyond working to address commuting and traffic congestion challenges in the region, the Company intends to work with local municipalities to initiate a future pilot SOLO share ecosystem in the Mesa and the greater Phoenix region.
Arizona's electric vehicle manufacturing has surged in recent years, starting with Lucid in 2016, followed by an announcement from Nikola in 2018. Arizona has also expanded its supply chain with UACJ Whitehall announcing a new plant in Flagstaff that will manufacture parts for electric vehicles and Li-Cycle building a new lithium-ion battery recycling facility in Gilbert.