Panasonic to make 2170 cells for Zoox robotaxis, starting in Japan and then Kansas in 2026

Panasonic Energy/De Soto, Kansas battery factory

Panasonic agreed to supply 2170 cells to Amazon-owned Zoox for its driverless ride-hailing vehicles. Production begins in Japan in early 2026 and moves to the De Soto plant shortly after, giving the Kansas factory a second automotive customer beside Tesla.

• Production starts early 2026 in Japan, then De Soto.
• The plant then had more than 1,000 workers, heading for 4,000 at full operation in 2027.
• Zoox runs a robotaxi service in Las Vegas.