A major Japanese battery maker has stopped construction on a $1.6 billion plant in South Carolina, citing “policy and market uncertainty” tied to electric vehicles and global trade.
Automotive Energy Supply Corp. (AESC) said Thursday it’s temporarily halting work on the factory in Florence, which is meant to supply batteries for electric BMWs made in the state.
The company didn’t list specific concerns, but South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster pointed to worries over changes to federal EV tax credits, incentives for clean energy businesses, and potential new tariffs under President Donald Trump.
“We’re urging caution,” McMaster said. “Let things play out — all these changes are happening at once.”
AESC has pledged to restart construction, though it hasn’t given a timeline. It says it will still meet its promise to hire 1,600 workers and invest $1.6 billion, and has already spent $1 billion on the site.
The Florence plant is meant to supply battery cells to BMW, which is building its own assembly plant nearby. BMW says the AESC delay won’t affect its timeline to open in 2026.
South Carolina had previously pulled back $111 million in planned incentives after AESC scaled down its original plans. But the company is still set to receive $135 million in grants and $121 million in state bonds.
The pause comes as other clean energy projects in the U.S. are also facing uncertainty tied to Trump’s trade stance. An earlier analysis found $14 billion worth of clean energy projects have been canceled nationwide.
Still, South Carolina continues to bet big on EVs. Scout Motors, owned by Volkswagen, plans to open a $2 billion plant in the state in 2027 to build electric SUVs.
Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić and Azerbaijan’s Pr...
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are rising as a ceasefire nears expiry with no agreement in place, amid reported attacks on vessels that have heig...
Bulgarians headed to the polls on Sunday (19 April) in their eighth election in five years, with early signs pointing...
Secretly filmed footage from two UK laboratories has reignited debate over animal testing in drug development, after a former worker alleged that m...
Cleanup efforts are underway in Lena, Illinois, after a suspected tornado tore through the village on Friday (17 April), damaging homes, schools an...
Bulgarians headed to the polls on Sunday (19 April) in their eighth election in five years, with early signs pointing to a potentially higher turnout as frontrunner Rumen Radev promised to restore stability and tackle corruption after years of political deadlock.
Secretly filmed footage from two UK laboratories has reignited debate over animal testing in drug development, after a former worker alleged that monkeys, dogs and other animals endured prolonged distress during safety trials for new medicines.
Cleanup efforts are underway in Lena, Illinois, after a suspected tornado tore through the village on Friday (17 April), damaging homes, schools and infrastructure, leaving thousands without power. Residents and emergency crews spent Saturday clearing debris, and working around downed power lines.
Iran’s top negotiator has said recent talks with the United States have shown progress, but that major differences remain over nuclear issues and the Strait of Hormuz, as diplomatic efforts continue alongside escalating regional instability.
Dozens of Chinese-made humanoid robots have demonstrated improvements in speed, balance and autonomous navigation after completing a half-marathon in Beijing on Sunday (19 April), in a showcase of the country’s fast-developing robotics sector.
The U.S. Navy has forcibly intercepted and boarded the Iranian cargo ship TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman after it attempted to breach the ongoing naval blockade. President Trump confirmed that the vessel was neutralised and seized by Marines following a direct strike on its engine room.
Two Indian-flagged ships were shot at in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, India's Foreign Ministry said, as Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz again, less than 24 hours after reopening the 167km long sea passage, which is essential for global trade.
Six people have been killed after a man opened fire in a supermarket in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Saturday (18 April). Ukraine's Security Service said it was investigating the incident as a "terrorist act."
Global leaders and diplomats gathered in southern Türkiye on 17 April for the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum, focusing on uncertainty, conflict, and the future of global cooperation.
Dozens of Chinese-made humanoid robots have demonstrated improvements in speed, balance and autonomous navigation after completing a half-marathon in Beijing on Sunday (19 April), in a showcase of the country’s fast-developing robotics sector.
A remarkable discovery at the ancient ruins of Sanxingdui offers a glimpse into what appears to be otherworldly craftsmanship - an axe believed to have been made using material from a meteorite.
NASA’s Artemis II crew has returned safely to Earth after completing a landmark journey around the Moon, marking the first crewed lunar mission in more than half a century.
The crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission are preparing to return to Earth after completing a groundbreaking journey around the Moon, with a Pacific Ocean splashdown expected off the coast of San Diego at around 01:00 BST (12:00 GMT).
Astronauts aboard Artemis II have described the emotional toll of their historic journey as they prepare for a high-risk “fireball” re-entry. The crew is set to splash down off California on Friday (10 April) after travelling farther than any humans in history.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment