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The Role of Ohio in the Future of Electric Vehicle Manufacturing
Posted on March 13, 2026
As a key player in the emerging “Battery Belt” region, Ohio has secured billions in investment from international companies conducting electric vehicle (EV) business in America’s heartland.
Ohio has historically been a powerhouse of the American automotive industry, and as production evolves with the rise of EVs, the Buckeye State is well-positioned to lead the charge.
A Strong Legacy of Automotive Power
Auto manufacturing has been a core component of Ohio’s economy for years. In fact, the first American car that ran on gas was designed, built, and driven by John Lambert in Ohio City, Ohio. Known as the Buckeye gasoline buggy, this 1891 invention was just the beginning for the state’s ensuing decades of automobile success.
In 1977, the leadership at Honda announced plans to build its first U.S. vehicle production facility right here in Ohio. Forty-five years later in 2022, that relationship came full circle. Honda, along with LG Energy Solution, selected Ohio as the location for a $3.5 billion joint venture battery plant to lead their electric vehicle production.
Ohio is ready to absorb the EV production boom thanks to its current infrastructure for vehicle manufacturing. Today, Ohio ranks first in the production of engines and second in the production of both transmissions and cars. Over 1.1 million cars and light trucks were produced here in 2018, the 4th most of any state in the nation, and 680 businesses in Ohio directly or indirectly supply motor vehicle assemblers. Nearly 110,000 people are employed statewide in the motor vehicle and related industries.
The EV Hub of North America
From its historic role in automotive production to today’s modern EV innovation, Ohio is growing and adapting with this new wave of industrial change. With its prime geographic location, infrastructure, and experienced workforce, Ohio has adapted to shifting automotive markets and re-positioned itself as the go-to region for companies expanding to EVs. Its proximity to key natural resources and its pre-existing assembly lines have allowed the state to build a powerful, self-sufficient ecosystem of EV manufacturing. Just a day’s drive from a majority of North America’s EV battery production plants, Ohio serves as the optimal location in the manufacturing chain for both suppliers and EV customers across the country.
Ohio’s Supply Chain Advantage
For companies that choose Ohio, EV production and supplying can start quickly.
Ohio sits only hours from large east coast cities and the Canadian border with additional proximity to other auto assembly plants in Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky. EV producers benefit from the unique geographic advantage and regional markets. Suppliers enjoy lower transportation costs and reduced supply chain risks as they move vehicles through the manufacturing process and out to dealerships.
Ohio has the second-largest workforce in the nation for motor vehicle and parts manufacturing. Unlike other states that lack a primed workforce, companies can choose from a wide talent pool of professionals with the right skills for EV work.
Ohio is also more forgiving on business costs than many other states. With taxes, wage rates, and utilities consistently below national and regional averages, companies can mitigate risk and enjoy stability.
EV Industry Leaders Are Choosing Ohio
Ohio has become the manufacturing home base for some of the world's largest automakers as they move toward bolstering their EV production.
Honda has established EV plants in Marysville, East Liberty, and Anna, with the Marysville Auto Plant set to become Honda’s first plant in the world that assembles EV battery packs. A new Jeffersonville battery plant from Honda will supply lithium-ion power sources. General Motors has invested in an Ultium Cells battery plant in Lordstown as well as a Toledo propulsion plant for electric trucks. Ford has invested $1.5 billion into an Avon Lake assembly plant for its electric vehicle production. Other companies include Stellanis, Navistar, and Kenworth, along with EV suppliers such as L-H Batter, Cirba Solutions, Semcorp, Schaeffler, and Magna.
Looking Ahead to Future EV Production
The future of the Ohio automotive industry is bright as new technologies emerge and investment continues to pour into the state. With its assembly lines, professionals, and supply chains, Ohio will continue to lead in North American EV production. Over a century on from the first gas-powered automobile, innovation in the Buckeye State is redefining the next 100 years of transportation.
*Source:
https://www.urbanacitizen.com/2016/07/06/gas-car-pioneer/
https://www.jobsohio.com/industries/automotive
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