GM, Samsung SDI announce partnership to build $3 billion electric vehicle plant; local officials hope it can still be built in St. Joseph County

General Motors and Samsung SDI announced plans Tuesday to partner on a $3 billion EV battery plant in the United States that local economic development officials still hope will be built on land near New Carlisle. 

GM originally planned to partner with LG Energy Solution on the fourth such battery plant needed to meet its EV production goals. Other locations are in Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee. 

Still in the mix:Even without LG, GM may proceed with EV battery plant in St. Joe County with new partner

But after plans for a fourth plant with LG fell apart, GM started looking for a new partner, which had been rumored to be Samsung SDI for several months.

Local officials still believe they’re at the top of a short list for the plant, which would be located on at least 680 acres at Larrison Boulevard and Indiana 2, just east of New Carlisle. 

St. Joseph County government recently made changes to a zoning overlay that prescribes somewhat higher standards for the property than would typically be found on land zoned for industrial use.