--- title: "Toyota’s Making a $14 Billion Bet on Batteries in the US: TDS" date: "2025-11-13" modified: "2025-11-13" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/toyotas-making-a-14-billion-bet-on-batteries-in-the-us-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # Toyota’s Making a $14 Billion Bet on Batteries in the US: TDS ![Toyota North Carolina Battery Plant]() Good morning and welcome to *The Downshift*, or *TDS* for short. Tight, light, and right, *TDS* gathers the latest automotive news from around the globe and places it in one spot. Stories are summarized in a single sentence accompanied by a link for those seeking more information. The first cup of coffee is gone and the second is being started now, so let's get into it. 🚘 What I’m driving: Still spending time with the 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S and have started playing with the iOS app only to quickly realize it's a disaster that doesn't seem to reliably work. 🏭 Toyota will spend nearly $14 billion on [a new battery plant in Liberty, North Carolina](), which is said to create up to 5,100 new jobs, produce up to 30 GWh of batteries on the 1,850-acre site, and support hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and the automaker's upcoming three-row electric SUV. 💻 Rivian and VW's joint venture, dubbed Rivan and Volkswagen Group Technologies or RV Tech for short, hit the one-year milestone, provided an update on the project's timeline, and said the goal is to make an operating system that [could be sold to the entire auto industry](). 💸 Polestar [reported a wider-than-expected third-quarter loss]() and will now conduct a stock split in an attempt to retain its Nasdaq listing; the automaker blamed tariffs and EV residuals for the third-quarter net loss of $365 million. 💰 Subaru will [shift its $1.5 trillion yen ($9.7 billion) investment in EVs ]()towards hybrid- and gas-powered vehicles due to shifting market trends; the automaker said it will still launch the co-developed EVs it partnered with Toyota on as planned. 🔌 A device [called the Dectravalve]() is being hailed as a breakthrough that promises to cut EV fast charging times from 30 to 10 minutes as the device independently cools or heats the pack. 🚛 Einride, a self-driving electric truck company out of Sweden, [plans to go public in 2026]() via an SPAC in an attempt to expand and invest in the technology and development of its trucks; currently Einride operates in seven countries including the U.S. *Have feedback on the formatting of TDS? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he is the board chair and chair of the governance and nominating committee for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()