In ramping up regional output to meet booming demand for EVs, Panasonic also aims to increase localized sourcing of battery materials, targeting a 50 percent local procure rate.

The factory is expected to begin production in 2025, and it will eventually supply electric vehicles and hybrids built in the region.

Nissan hopes that recycling batteries and re-using them in electric vehicles will help lower production costs as the price of rare metals rise, the daily Nikkei reported.

Mercedes, which did not disclose the location of Envision's new U.S. cell factory, also flipped the switch on a new battery assembly plant located on 270 acres near its vehicle factory.

The automaker plans 23 new electrified vehicles, including 15 EVs, and aims for an electrification mix of 50 percent across the Nissan and Infiniti brands by March 31, 2031.

CEO Ola Källenius, speaking during the company's opening of its first U.S. EV battery factory, also affirmed the company's 2022 financial outlook remained in place despite the conflict.

Experts warn that failure to obtain adequate supplies of lithium, nickel, manganese or cobalt could slow the shift to electric vehicles.

Solid-state power packs promise safety, cost, weight and performance improvements over today's lithium ion batteries. They could help bring larger trucks and SUVs into the EV segment.

J.B. Straubel's broader goal is to move a huge chunk of the battery-component industry from Asia to the U.S., Bloomberg reported.