eLumina Global to build EV chargers, batteries in $20m new facility at Yatala

A $20 million factory to produce electric vehicle chargers and lithium batteries is set to power up the Gold Coast manufacturing sector with up to 300 new jobs.

A $20 million factory to produce electric vehicle chargers and lithium batteries is set to power up the Gold Coast manufacturing sector with up to 300 new jobs.

The facility is nearing completion at Yatala, where Australian company eLumina aims to produce 300 batteries a year.

CEO Lisa Marsh said global demand for batteries was soaring.

“We have record solar uptake and energy generation in Australia, but we need battery storage at scale to harness its full potential,” she said.

“Through battery storage we can capture this energy and ensure reliable and cheaper off-grid power to all Australians. This insulates communities from power outages and saves them money.”

Artist impressions of the eLumina charging stations in use.

Artist impressions of the completed eLumina factory at Yatala.

Ms Marsh said the sector had great potential as a growth industry for manufacturing, research and development in the region.

“Our centre is just the start of that,” she said.

“We’re building this facility using local talent and locally sourced parts and materials.

“Our world-class research and development training centre will also upskill hundreds of Queenslanders with the expertise to contribute to our evolving battery and EV charging sector.”

eLumina is opening a $20m EV charger and battery factory at Yatala. eLumina CEO Lisa Marsh and chief operating officer Chris Yang.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said council had an ambitious plan to secure a larger slice of the clean energy sector and the high skilled jobs it’s creating.

“Our Economic and Climate Resilience and Sustainability Strategies are all about backing the Gold Coast to use renewable energy and boost the uptake of renewables,” he said.

“eLumina choosing the Gold Coast as home for Australia’s first factory building both lithium community batteries and EV chargers shows our city has the right settings, ambitions and support for businesses for advanced manufacturing to thrive.

“I’m excited to see the thousands of EV chargers and batteries set to be deployed in Australia over the coming years to be stamped – ‘Made on the Gold Coast’.”

Artist impressions of the completed eLumina factory at Yatala.

To accelerate the deployment of its EV chargers across the country, eLumina has partnered with charging station installer Addelec.

Addelec general manager Chris McPherson said charging infrastructure had to keep pace with demand in the surging sector.

“Producing EV chargers in Australia will make it easier to meet demand and to support the exciting transformation to more sustainable transport,” he said.

The factory is set to be operational by August 2024.