Panasonic Energy Co.’s $4-billion electric vehicle battery plant in De Soto, Kan., is taking shape with the aim of beginning production early next year.

Work at the 300-acre site, which was formerly home to a U.S. Army ammunition plant, started in November 2022. Vertical construction led by a joint venture of Turner Construction Co. (No. 7 in manufacturing) and The Yates Co. Inc. (No. 4) began in April 2023.

Once complete, the 4.7-million-sq-ft plant designed by SSOE Group with architect Mackenzie Inc. would have a 30-GWh capacity to make batteries for electric vehicles. Panasonic aims to begin production by the end of March 2025.

The plant is designed with two wings, and construction is slated to complete in phases. Work is expected to continue on the second wing, now 44% finished, as production begins in the first, which is at 99% completion, Panasonic said in its most recent progress update. Roofing for wing one is 43% complete.

The facility would be Panasonic’s second in the U.S. that will produce its 2170 cylindrical lithium-ion batteries. It has another 38-GWh plant producing the batteries in Nevada. Panasonic says locating another plant in the U.S. will help it reduce supply chain-related emissions.

The plant has already helped boost other local projects. Earlier this year, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced battery component manufacturer H&T Recharge is investing $110 million to build a plant in De Soto that will supply the Panasonic plant. The electronics firm also agreed to provide more than $165 million to fund various local infrastructure projects.