COLUMBIA, S.C. — A British company is going to make electric buses in South Carolina, a move that's expected to create 240 new jobs and bring in millions in new investment.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster announced that Arrival, an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer specializing in zero-emission transportation solutions will be locating the company's first micro-factory in the United States in Rock Hill.
The company will invest $46 million and create 240 new jobs in York County, initially focusing on building electric buses. Arrival is expected to begin operations in the second quarter of 2021, with production starting by the fourth quarter of 2021.
The London-based company was formed in 2015 and works with cities around the world to create zero-emission mobility solutions for today's transportation challenges. In South Carolina, operations will utilize a new cell-based assembly method to produce vehicles rather than a traditional automotive production line, allowing the production of any vehicle from Arrival’s portfolio -- from buses to delivery trucks and vans.
This process allows for a smaller footprint -- hence the term "micro-factory" -- and helps to further drive down the cost of EVs to accelerate mass adoption of zero-emission fleet vehicles.
Located in Rock Hill, the micro-factory will use Arrival's vertically integrated approach to vehicle production, which utilizes the company’s in-house developed components, materials and software. Materials for the EVs will be sourced from surrounding regions through a localized supply chain, which will reduce environmental impact.
Individuals interested in joining the Arrival team should visit the company’s hiring website at www.readysc.org/arrival.