eLumina: Australia's 1st Battery & EV Charger Factory
What happened in October 2024:
On October 29, 2024, eLumina officially opened Australia's first factory capable of producing community lithium batteries and EV chargers. Located in Yatala on the Gold Coast, the US$20 million Manufacturing and Development Centre marks a significant step toward Australia's energy transition while creating up to 300 local jobs.
The state-of-the-art facility will produce 300 batteries and EV chargers annually, supporting clean energy solutions and bolstering Queensland's role as a growing tech and manufacturing hub.
Powering high-tech jobs and skills development
The launch of the new factory strengthens the clean energy sector and creates high-tech job opportunities in the region.
eLumina's focus on fostering local talent through partnerships with TAFE Queensland ensures a pipeline of skilled workers for the renewable energy landscape.
Lisa Marsh, CEO of eLumina, highlighted the importance of this initiative:
"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 collaborating with TAFE, eLumina is investing in the future workforce, creating opportunities that align with the rapid growth of clean energy technologies.
Damian Kassabgi, CEO of the Tech Council of Australia, praised the region's progress:
"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."
- US$20m investment, opened on October 29, 2024.
- First Australian facility to produce both lithium batteries and EV chargers.
- Capacity to manufacture 300 batteries and chargers annually.
- Equipped with a state-of-the-art dry room for advanced battery research and development.
- Introduction of the D1 model – a fast-charging EV solution ideal for remote areas.
The D1 model stands out with its innovative battery-integrated design.
It offers a maximum output of 160kW and the ability to charge two vehicles simultaneously. Its design addresses energy challenges in remote and rural areas, where electricity access can be limited or unstable.
Supporting Australia's renewable energy goals
eLumina's new factory directly supports Australia's sustainability targets and energy independence.
The Smart Energy Council applauded eLumina's innovative contributions to the renewable energy sector.
John Grimes, CEO of the Smart Energy Council, highlighted the factory's significance:
"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."
Addressing regional connectivity with smart solutions
Australia's vast and remote regions face unique connectivity challenges, particularly for EV infrastructure. eLumina, in partnership with Addelec, is tackling these issues with its battery-integrated EV chargers. The D1 model ensures fast and reliable charging solutions for remote locations.
Chris McPherson, General Manager at Addelec, explained the significance:
"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 tailored design of eLumina's EV chargers aims to bridge connectivity gaps, enabling wider EV adoption across Australia and supporting clean transport initiatives.
Future expansion to boost economic resilience
Looking ahead, eLumina has ambitious expansion plans. Lisa Marsh outlined the company's vision for growth:
"Our goal is for our next factory to be three times the size, potentially employing up to 300 people directly and supporting many more. Our factory diversifies Australia's manufacturing industry, building economic resilience, contributing to energy sovereignty and strengthening a 'Gold Coast made' economy."
By scaling production and strengthening local manufacturing, eLumina sets a benchmark for energy storage solutions and supports Australia's net-zero emissions targets.
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