Lion Electric has stopped all production of electric school buses at its plant, 3835 Youngs Rd in Joliet. The Shut-down came after the company announced temporary layoffs of 400 employees in Canada and the United States.
The State of Illinois partnered with Lion with the goal of making the state a hub for electric vehicle manufacturing. Those hopes have been dimmed by the announcement of the layoffs. Joliet Mayor Terry D’Arcy remains hopeful of reopening the Joliet production site.
” The City and Lion Electric are in ongoing communication as the situation develops. The company has received a credit extension during which time Lion Electric plans to evaluate its options, including a potential sale of the business.
“We remain committed to supporting efforts to keep Lion Electric operating in our community,” said Mayor D’Arcy.
In 2023 Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker heralded Lion Electric opening a 906,517-square-foot industrial building off Route 6 in Joliet, stating it would make an investment of more than $100 million in new machinery and equipment. The company projected it would produce more than 10,000 electric vehicles per year and bring about 1,400 jobs to Joliet. A downturn of electric vehicle sales nationwide prompted the decision for Lion to wine down production.
In March 2022, Lion Electric held an event to announce the opening of this manufacturing facility of all-electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles. In attendance were US Congressional Representatives Bill Foster, Lauren Underwood and Shawn Casten along with Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity representatives including Director Sylvia Garcia, and EPA Region #5 administrator Debra Shore and local dignitaries.
