China, Shanghai: A dedicated substation supplying electricity to Toyota’s wholly-owned Lexus electric vehicle manufacturing plant has officially entered operation in Shanghai, according to State Grid Shanghai Municipal Electric Power Co. The facility is located in the Jinshan district and supports the site’s move towards mass production.
The wider Lexus new energy project represents an investment of around $2.14 B (14.6 B yuan) and is described as the brand’s first overseas new energy vehicle production base. It is also seen as an important development for Shanghai’s automotive industry as it transitions towards new energy manufacturing.
Construction of the project began on 27 June 2025. It is scheduled for completion in August 2026, with production expected to start in August 2027. Once fully operational, the plant is planned to have an annual output capacity of 100,000 vehicles, according to public information.
The newly commissioned substation ensures stable power supply for the facility and supports its future production requirements. It marks the transition from temporary electricity supply arrangements to a permanent grid connection.
Li Longhe, a project leader at Lexus (Shanghai) New Energy Co Ltd, said the rapid progress and service from State Grid Shanghai demonstrated strong efficiency. He noted that the project has strengthened the company’s confidence in investing and developing in Shanghai.
The substation is considered a key supporting infrastructure element for the EV plant and forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the city’s new energy vehicle industrial chain.
Source: China Daily
