Australia's First Lithium Battery & EV Charger Factory Opens

eLumina has officially opened a groundbreaking factory on the Gold Coast, marking Australia's first facility capable of manufacturing community lithium batteries and EV chargers.

The US$20m Manufacturing and Development Centre is set to be a major contributor to Australia's energy transition, with its first products expected in 2025. The facility will produce up to 300 batteries and EV chargers annually, bolstering local production and creating up to 300 jobs in the region.

Driving local employment and tech skills in Queensland

Located in Yatala, the new factory will not only support the clean energy sector but will provide high-tech job opportunities.

Lisa Marsh. Chief Executive Officer, eLumina, highlights significance of this milestone: "We are extremely proud to officially open our factory here in Yatala on the Gold Coast.

"We are ambitious to back 300 highly technical and sought-after jobs and we're proud to partner with TAFE Queensland to support the training and pathways into these jobs." 

By partnering with TAFE, eLumina is investing in the next generation of technical talent, fostering a workforce ready to meet the demands of an evolving energy landscape.

Damian Kassabgi, CEO Tech Council of Australia, notes: "Queensland, particularly on the Gold Coast, is emerging as a tech hotspot and manufacturing hub.

"Our goal is to have 1.2 million tech workers in Australia by 2030 and we're proud to partner with Australian organisations like eLumina, whose jobs support the renewable energy sector." 

The collaborative approach with local training institutions is critical in creating sustainable employment and building a skilled workforce within the renewable energy sector.

Supporting Australia's renewable energy goals with smart solutions

The factory's launch aligns with Australia's sustainability and energy independence objectives.

John Grimes, CEO of The Smart Energy Council, praises eLumina's efforts: "We're proud to partner with eLumina and support them with their mission of securing a sustainable energy future for Australians and supporting Australia becoming a global leader in this sector.

"What the team at eLumina has done is truly innovative, applying cutting-edge practices to be the first in the country to manufacture community lithium batteries and EV chargers."

The innovation places eLumina at the forefront of the renewable energy movement in Australia, especially with the introduction of the D1 model. This fast-charging EV solution can simultaneously charge two vehicles with a maximum output of 160kW.

By integrating a battery into the D1 model, eLumina's charger is particularly suitable for remote locations where electricity supply may be limited or unstable.

Addressing regional connectivity and EV growth

Connectivity remains a challenge in Australia, especially in rural and remote areas with limited energy access.

In partnership with Addelec, eLumina is working to overcome the challenge by deploying battery-integrated EV chargers to improve access in regional areas. 

Chris McPherson, General Manager at Addelec, explains: "When we look globally, especially at places like Europe with a high uptake of EVs, they're navigating smaller and more densely populated areas. When we zoom out to the sheer size of Australia, we need to take a different approach."

The D1 model's design considers Australia's unique geography and infrastructure, ensuring EV charging is accessible to more Australians and encouraging a nationwide transition to cleaner transport options.

Future expansion plans to boost economic resilience

With eyes set on the future, eLumina is already planning further expansions in Queensland.

"Our goal is for our next factory to be three times the size, with the potential to employ up to 300 people directly and support many more," said Lisa.

She highlights the importance of this growth, adding: "Our factory diversifies Australia's manufacturing industry, building economic resilience and contributing to energy sovereignty and strengthening a 'Gold Coast made' economy."

By establishing a solid foundation for battery production and EV charging infrastructure, eLumina is setting new standards for energy storage and supporting Australia's journey toward net-zero emissions.

As Lisa puts it: "We're proud to be contributing to Australia's energy future, pushing the dial forward on battery storage to secure Australia's energy future and support the transition to net-zero."

With a mission focused on renewable energy and local job creation, eLumina's new facility marks a significant step in Australia's clean energy journey.

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