Finding
North America works as one production basin, but since 2025 its EV build-out has slowed and turned toward grid storage as US consumer credits ended and tariffs rose
The US ended its 30D, 25E and 45W EV credits on September 30, 2025, kept the 45X manufacturing credit with foreign-entity limits, and put 25% Section 232 tariffs on imported vehicles and parts, with relief for USMCA-compliant content. Ford, GM and LG Energy Solution have since shifted cell capacity in Kentucky and Michigan toward energy storage.
Materials move south, components cross borders several times, and vehicles move north. Canada holds the nickel (Vale at Sudbury and Voisey's Bay) and has the region's cathode and cell projects in Quebec and Ontario; the US Midwest and Southeast host the cell plants and most EV assembly; Mexico builds EVs almost entirely for export to the US. The 2026 USMCA joint review is the next fixed point for the content rules all three depend on.
Chinese manufacturers are largely outside the bloc: the US and Canada price China-built EVs out, Mexico raised its duties, and BYD shelved its Mexican plant. Chinese technology still enters through licensing - CATL LFP chemistry at Ford's Marshall plant - and through Gotion's plant in Manteno, Illinois.
Countries
Country roles
Manufacturer lists live on the country pages.
| Country | Role | Anchor manufacturers and plants | Directory |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Cells, EV assembly, storage, AI compute | Tesla (Austin, Fremont), GM (Factory Zero, Spring Hill), Ford, Rivian, Hyundai Metaplant, Panasonic (Nevada, Kansas) | United States |
| Canada | Nickel, cobalt, cathode, cells, buses | NextStar Energy (Stellantis and LG Energy Solution, Windsor), PowerCo (Volkswagen, St. Thomas), Vale, NFI | Canada |
| Mexico | EV assembly for the US market | GM Ramos Arizpe, Ford Cuautitlán (Mach-E), BMW San Luis Potosí (from 2027), JAC Hidalgo | Mexico |
Value chain
How the chain crosses borders
| Tier | Where | Examples | Flow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mining and refining | Canada, US | Vale (nickel), Albemarle (Kings Mountain, Silver Peak), Tesla lithium refinery (Robstown, Texas), MP Materials (rare earths) | Ore and intermediates move south |
| Cathode and anode | Canada, US | Umicore and GM-POSCO in Canada (stalled), Tesla cathode plant (Austin), Novonix (Tennessee) | Few projects past pilot scale |
| Cells and packs | US, Canada | Ultium Cells, Panasonic, SK On, Samsung SDI, LG Energy Solution, NextStar Energy | Some lines converting to grid-storage LFP |
| Vehicle assembly | US, Mexico | Tesla, GM, Ford, Rivian, Hyundai, BMW, Stellantis | Mexican output goes north |
| Energy | All three | Hydro-Québec exports, ERCOT and MISO storage build-out | Cross-border transmission |
Policy
Rules that move plants
| Rule | Country | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| USMCA rules of origin | All | 75% regional value content for vehicles; 2026 joint review |
| Section 232 tariffs | US | 25% on imported vehicles and parts; USMCA content offsets |
| 45X advanced manufacturing credit | US | $35/kWh for cells and $10/kWh for modules, with prohibited-foreign-entity limits |
| Clean Technology Manufacturing ITC | Canada | 30% credit on manufacturing equipment for batteries and materials |
| Tariffs on Asian imports | Mexico | Duties up to 50% on cars from countries without a trade agreement |
Sources
Sources and scope
- Scope
- North America
- Sources
- USTR; US Treasury (45X guidance); Government of Canada; Secretaría de Economía; company disclosures
- Updated
- October 2026