Connecting our regional advanced manufacturing capabilities to global opportunities through the Transatlantic EV Triangle
The City of London, Ontario, together with the broader London-St. Thomas region, is taking bold steps to position itself at the heart of the global electric vehicle (EV) revolution. As part of a targeted strategy to build meaningful, long-term partnerships with international cities, London is actively fostering relationships that strengthen its local supply chain while opening the door to foreign markets.
This strategy is exemplified by a groundbreaking alliance that connects three powerhouse regions in the electric mobility space: Salzgitter, Germany, Sagunto near Valencia, Spain, and St. Thomas, Ontario—all chosen by Volkswagen’s PowerCo as key sites in their global EV battery production network.
These cities share more than just major battery production investments—they are the founding members of a pioneering international initiative known as the Transatlantic EV Triangle. This relationship is the first of its kind, designed to create a corridor of innovation, investment, and collaboration between Canada, Germany, and Spain. The aim? To accelerate the development of an integrated electric mobility ecosystem spanning continents.
Each city brings unique strengths to the table:
Salzgitter, Germany is home to VW PowerCo’s first battery hub, which includes a cutting-edge recycling pilot plant and a research-driven Center of Excellence Battery Cell lab. With over 1,000 employees, the facility is set to produce VW’s unified battery cell by 2025—a breakthrough technology that could reduce battery costs by up to 50%.
Sagunto, Valencia is the site of VW’s second European battery cell gigafactory, expected to begin production in 2026. The facility will create over 3,000 direct jobs and as many as 30,000 indirect positions through supplier and partner networks, supercharging Spain’s EV industry.
St. Thomas, Ontario, will soon become home to VW PowerCo’s flagship North American battery production plant, set to launch in 2027. The facility will supply batteries for up to one million electric vehicles annually, cementing Southwestern Ontario’s position as a central player in the EV supply chain.
The region’s robust automotive history, with over 125 years of manufacturing experience and proximity to eight major OEMs and nearly 700 parts suppliers, makes it an ideal anchor point for this transatlantic partnership.
In addition to London and St. Thomas, the regional partnership includes SOMA partners Stratford, Woodstock, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg, and Perth County,
At the heart of London’s international strategy is the recognition that global relationships unlock local potential. By aligning with cities that share similar industrial strengths and future-focused ambitions, London is ensuring that local manufacturers, researchers, and workers have a direct line into fast-growing international markets.
Moreover, these relationships are about more than just economic growth—they are about collaborative innovation. London is working to facilitate the exchange of supply chain talent, connect R&D institutions across borders, and support the seamless flow of knowledge, materials, and investment between partners.
As the Transatlantic EV Triangle continues to evolve, London is already exploring ways to extend this ecosystem and welcome additional regions into the fold. This proactive and strategic approach to global engagement reflects London’s broader economic development vision: to grow not just by competing, but by collaborating on the world stage.
By introducing our regional supply chain to hundreds of companies in international markets through trusted and strategic partnerships, London is shaping a future where local businesses thrive in global opportunities—and where innovation knows no borders.
