ElectraMeccanica Vehicles Corp., a Canadian-based designer and manufacturer of electric vehicles, has selected Mesa, Ariz., for its U.S.-based assembly facility and engineering technical center. Mesa is a suburb of Phoenix.
Since February 2020, the company was involved in a nationwide review of potential locations that matched its technical and workforce criteria. ElectraMeccanica’s partner BDO USA identified seven candidates and sent requests for proposals to the chief economic development entities and local authorities in each state. In October, the company named Arizona and Tennessee as the two finalist states.
When fully operational, the facility is expected to create up to 500 new jobs and produce up to 20,000 Solo vehicles per year, according to the company. The facility will feature a light vehicle assembly plant along with an engineering technical center, including labs to support research facilities as well as vehicle chassis, battery pack, and power electronics testing workshops.
ElectraMeccanica also expects this new facility to generate second-order effects that could positively impact the local and state economies, according to the company. In addition to working to address commuting and traffic congestion challenges in the region, the company intends to work with local municipalities to initiate a future pilot Solo share ecosystem in the greater Phoenix region.
“I want to thank Governor Ducey, his team, the state of Arizona, and everyone who’s been involved in this process for helping to bring ElectraMeccanica’s U.S. operations to life,” said Paul Rivera, CEO of ElectraMeccanica. “This decision is monumental for our business and will be transformative for our host city and state. When fully operational, we anticipate creating hundreds of new jobs for the local economy. We believe Mesa’s population size and density provides a great talent pool as we look forward to contributing to the growing high-tech environment.”
"Arizona is thrilled to be selected as the home of ElectraMeccanica's first U.S.-based assembly facility and engineering technical center," said Gov. Doug Ducey. "Arizona has fast become the electric vehicle center of America thanks to our robust and growing workforce, vibrant innovation ecosystem, and ideal business environment. My thanks to ElectraMeccanica, the Arizona Commerce Authority, the City of Mesa, and all involved in bringing this exciting project to Arizona.”
"We couldn't be more excited to welcome ElectraMeccanica to Arizona as the latest electric vehicle innovator to choose our state," said Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “No other state in the country provides a better environment for ElectraMeccanica to scale its leading-edge technology, and we look forward to continuing to be a partner in the company’s long-term success.”
