Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to introduce its new line of EQ electric vehicles and has announced plans to invest $1 billion in its Vance, Alabama plant for the new EVs. The Alabama plant will be expanded to specifically build fully electric utility vehicles.

mercedes-benz invest $1 billion EQ electric vehicles

The investment is part of the automaker’s plan to electrify its entire lineup by 2022, with plans to have at least 50 electrified vehicles.

“With production locations for EVs and batteries in Europe, China and now the U.S., our global network is ready for the era of electric vehicles,” said Markus Schaefer, member of the divisional board of Mercedes-Benz Cars responsible for production and supply chain. “Thanks to our plant modernization in Tuscaloosa, we will be able to quickly ramp up U.S. production of EQ models.”

Mercedes-Benz already previewed one its new electric SUVs with the EQ SUV concept last year, which was a “near-production” concept.

Construction will begin at the Alabama plant in 2018.

Source: Automotive News