Toyota has announced it will build its first battery plant in the U.S. capable of building enough lithium -ion batteries to power as many as 1.2 million electrified vehicles annually. The megasite will be built near Greenboro, North Carolina. The $1.29 billion project is indicative of the auto industry’s pivot to production of hybrid and pure battery electric vehicles in the coming decade. For Toyota, the future includes delivering a mix of conventional and plug in hybrid vehicles as well as BEVs. “The future of mobility is electrification and the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite is the ideal location to make that future a reality,” said Ted Ogawa, CEO of Toyota Motor North America. “North Carolina offers the right conditions for this investment, including the infrastructure, high-quality education system, access to a diverse and skilled workforce, and a welcoming environment for doing business.” Toyota plans to roll out 15 all-electric models by 2025, the majority of those sold through its new “Beyond Zero” sub-brand.