Toyota has officially expanded its battery development capabilities in North America with the opening of the Toyota Battery Center of North America in Saline, Michigan. The facility, inaugurated on October 1, 2026, represents a $50 million investment in advanced batteries and gives Toyota a base for testing, evaluating, and developing battery technologies. Toyota Battery Center brings together capabilities covering the full battery development cycle while supporting the automaker’s multi-pathway strategy.
Rather than focusing only on battery-electric vehicles, the center will develop batteries for hybrids, plug-in hybrids, hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles and fully electric vehicles, supporting multiple electrification pathways for American drivers.
What Is a Toyota Battery Center?
The facility is a 30,000-square-foot battery development and testing facility in Saline, Michigan. It evaluates battery technologies for HEVs, PHEVs, FCEVs, and BEVs, supports Toyota’s North American manufacturing operations, and enables research collaboration with the University of Michigan.
A $50 Million Battery Technology Investment
Toyota Motor North America, headquartered in Plano, Texas, has invested $50 million in the 30,000-square-foot facility. The center gives Michigan battery teams access to capabilities spanning the entire battery lifecycle, from raw-material testing to integration into customer applications and end-of-life recycling.
The facility helps Toyota respond faster to battery performance concerns. By placing testing and development capabilities closer to North American production and customers, engineers can investigate region-specific issues and develop solutions more quickly.
Supporting Toyota’s Multi-Pathway EV Strategy
The Toyota Battery Center is not limited to BEV batteries. Engineers will assess battery performance and technologies for traditional hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, and battery-electric vehicles.
This approach reflects Toyota’s multi-pathway strategy, which aims to offer different electrified powertrains based on customer needs, market conditions, and regional requirements.
Direct Support for North American Manufacturing
The center will work closely with Toyota’s regional manufacturing network, including Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina, and vehicle assembly plants across North America.
For customers, the regional testing capability could mean faster identification and resolution of field concerns. Jordan Choby, Toyota’s group vice president of powertrain, said the center will also support development of longer-lasting batteries designed for conditions experienced by American drivers.
Research Partnership With University of Michigan
Toyota is also opening research and testing equipment access to the University of Michigan Electric Vehicle Center. The collaboration is intended to allow research partners to use the facility’s testing and evaluation capabilities while helping develop battery engineers and technicians in Michigan.
Keita Moritsu, senior vice president and chief technology officer of Toyota Motor North America R&D, said the center expands Toyota’s established battery development work into North America.
Michigan Strengthens Its EV Technology Role
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer welcomed the investment, describing the facility as a step toward developing and improving batteries for the next generation of vehicles. Toyota has operated in Michigan for more than 50 years.
With its combination of battery research, testing, manufacturing support, recycling expertise, and academic collaboration, the battery center positions Saline as an important hub in Toyota’s evolving North American electrification strategy.
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