Wednesday, October 29, 2025
The Government of Ontario and PowerCo Canada marked a major milestone in the construction of Volkswagen’s facility in St. Thomas, which is on track to become Canada’s largest electric vehicle (EV) battery plant with initial production set to begin in 2027.
With contracts awarded to two Ontario-based companies, concrete pouring is officially underway at PowerCo’s $7 billion EV manufacturing facility, laying the foundation for the 350-acre industrial site.
“At a time of increasing global uncertainty, our government continues to create the conditions for businesses and workers to succeed,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “We commend PowerCo for moving swiftly to bring this project to life and for recognizing the resilience of Ontario’s world-class workforce, as well as our province’s strong leadership in the auto and advanced manufacturing sectors.”
First announced in March 2023, Volkswagen’s PowerCo will bring advanced manufacturing back to St. Thomas, employing up to 3,000 highly skilled workers directly at the plant, while supporting thousands more indirect jobs across the supply chain and the broader economy. The pouring of concrete marks the first of several important progress updates, with additional investments in local infrastructure and utilities to follow.
“Today marks a big milestone for PowerCo Canada, as we officially mark the beginning of construction on our third and largest EV gigafactory worldwide”, said Frank Blome, CEO of PowerCo SE. “Electric vehicles are the future of the global automotive sector, and we’re proud to spearhead such a significant investment, while positioning Canada at the forefront of innovative EV battery production. We aim to build a global battery champion with a strong footprint in Europe and North America.”
Once complete, the facility will bring PowerCo’s advanced battery technology to the North American market, with the gigafactory serving as PowerCo’s third and largest project globally.
“The excitement in St. Thomas is palpable, as we celebrate this monumental construction milestone. The St. Thomas gigafactory is rapidly coming to life and already delivering on its promise of prosperity — supporting hundreds of local jobs and providing a significant boost to our economy right here in our community,” said Joe Preston, Mayor of St. Thomas.
Featured image: (PowerCo Canada)
