Samsung to shut down EV battery plant in the US due to COVID-19

After shutting down its smartphone and home appliance plants in various countries, including India, Samsung announced earlier today that it is temporarily shutting down its battery plant in the US. The battery plant, which is run by Samsung SDI, makes batteries for electric vehicles.

Samsung said that it is shutting down its battery plant in Michigan to help stop the spread of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic and to keep its employees safe. The company also has another plant in the state which makes battery packs, and it has been temporarily shuttered as well.

The two plants in Michigan will remain closed until April 13. The decision was taken after Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an order to everyone in the state and asked them to stay at home. More than 1,300 active cases have been confirmed in the state of Michigan in the US.

Samsung SDI’s rival LG Chem has announced that it will close its battery manufacturing plants in the US and other countries due to the pandemic. Samsung has donated $24.6 million in South Korea to help contain the virus. The company has also decided to shut down its stores in Canada, China, Europe, and the US over the past few weeks.