HIGH POINT, N.C. — Those familiar say North Carolina is becoming the epicenter of electric vehicle battery production as more companies break ground across the state, one of which was created in the Triad.
Soelect, is a company that produces electric vehicles battery components.
Founder and CEO, Dr. Jin Cho started it up about five years ago, following his tenure as an engineering professor at NC A&T.
Battery technicians at Soelect in Guilford County are figuring out the future of efficient electric vehicle batteries.
"Our goal is more than 800 miles after 15 min fast charging," said Dr. Cho.
Rooted in High Point, Soelect is different than others because it's perfecting a so-called formula for car companies by using a rare metal.
"Lithium metal is actually the most advanced battery materials which is not currently standard in the battery industry. So, that's kind of a next generation material," explained Dr. Cho.
Dr. Cho says the startup has been rewarding and challenging. He says the hardest part is finding skilled technicians.
Soelect's CFO Tim Price says within the next five years, there needs to be a significant increase in techs, it's why the company partnered with the Carolina Battery Institute to train employees at community colleges.
"The industries around here for years was tobacco, furniture, textiles, and now you're talking high energy batteries whether it's like us with lithium or other materials you need a very educated workforce," said Price.
Soelect sits nearly 30 miles away from Toyota's battery plant in Liberty.
While there's no official partnership, a Toyota spokesperson says it's having conversations with the Carolina Battery Institute to see what training opportunities are available.
With several electric battery supports growing across the state including Vinfast, Soelect, John Deer, and Toyota, Dr. Cho says the companies needs more people willing to learn.
From their estimates, Price says with all the new battery companies coming in, in total they will need to fill about 9,000 jobs. Price also says technicians at Soelect will make an average of $55,000 annually.
"Even we're going to share the facility. We need to actually assure the work and you know the community college and another company so that's why a lot of these discussions are going on," said Dr. Cho.
Dr. Cho says they hope to start the technician training program next Summer. At this point, they estimate the program will take two to three months to complete.
Dr. Cho says he chose NC to build this business because lithium has been found at Kings Mountain.
Instead of getting the metal from overseas, he hopes to one day access the materials, produce the batteries, and build the electric vehicles all in the Tar Heel state.
"There is no actually, any other battery material company in North Carolina. So, that's why we are working on it, working hard, to make the actual battery materials, but obviously North Carolina is the epicenter of all the battery materials," said Dr. Cho.
He also says he strives to make EV vehicles more affordable for everyone.