In a significant milestone for Australia’s renewable energy sector, eLumina has officially opened the country’s first factory capable of producing both community lithium batteries and electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
The $20 million Manufacturing and Development Centre, located on the Gold Coast, is set to commence production in 2025.
The state-of-the-art facility is poised to bolster Australia’s energy storage capabilities and address the growing global demand for batteries.
With an annual production capacity of 300 batteries and EV chargers, the factory is expected to create up to 300 jobs in the region.
Lisa Marsh, eLumina’s Chief Executive Officer, expressed pride in the factory’s opening, stating, “We are extremely proud to officially open our factory here in Yatala on the Gold Coast.
“We are ambitious to back 300 highly technical and sought-after jobs and we’re proud to partner with TAFE Queensland to support the training and pathways into these jobs.”
The establishment of this facility aligns with Australia’s broader goals for technological advancement and sustainability.
Damian Kassabgi, CEO of the Tech Council of Australia, highlighted the Gold Coast’s emergence as a tech hotspot and manufacturing hub, emphasising the role of companies like eLumina in supporting the goal of 1.2 million tech workers in Australia by 2030.
John Grimes, CEO of the Smart Energy Council, commended eLumina’s innovative approach, stating: “What the team at eLumina have done is truly innovative and applying cutting-edge practices to be the first in the country to manufacture community lithium batteries and EV chargers.”
A key focus of eLumina’s initiative is to improve EV charging accessibility in regional and rural areas.
The company has partnered with Addelec to deploy battery-integrated EV chargers, addressing the unique challenges posed by Australia’s vast geography.
Chris McPherson, General Manager at Addelec, explained: “When we look globally, especially at places like Europe with a high uptake of EVs, they’re navigating smaller and more densely populated areas. When we zoom out to the sheer size of Australia, we need to take a different approach.”
Looking ahead, eLumina has ambitious plans for growth.
Marsh revealed: “Our goal is for our next factory to be three times the size with the potential to employ up to 300 people directly and support many more.”
The factory is expected to diversify Australia’s manufacturing industry, contributing to energy sovereignty and strengthening the local economy.
Marsh stated: “We’re proud to be contributing to Australia’s energy future through pushing the dial forward on battery storage to secure Australia’s energy future and support the transition to net-zero.”
The facility includes a world-class dry room for battery research and development, a first for the Gold Coast.
eLumina’s flagship product, the D1 model, is an efficient DC fast-charging unit designed to simultaneously charge two vehicles with a maximum output of 160kW.
Its integrated battery makes it uniquely suited for providing charging capabilities in remote locations with limited or unstable power supply.
As Australia continues its journey towards a sustainable energy future, eLumina’s new factory represents a significant step forward in domestic manufacturing capabilities and the country’s commitment to renewable energy technologies.
