N.C. State leans into growth potential of battery technology

Driving the news: N.C. State opened its Battery and Energy Storage Technology Makerspace on its Centennial Campus on Friday. The space will be used by students and researchers hoping to get hands-on experience with batteries.

• Industry partners, like Toyota, whose massive battery plant in Randolph County will employ thousands, will also use the space for training and research.
• The space is in part funded from the General Assembly's effort to expand engineering capacity within North Carolina.

What they're saying: "I felt very strongly that North Carolina had a massive opportunity for continuing to expand its capabilities in battery manufacturing," N.C. State Provost Jim Pfaendtner told Axios of the investment.

• "If you look at the global stage, most of our batteries are not made in the United States … It's more important than ever that that we bring this [capability] home."

Toyota's North Carolina President Don Stewart said Toyota plans to use the space to work on battery advancements and recruit new engineers.

• "We want your help to solve [our battery] challenges ... and create that pipeline for us for the engineers of tomorrow," Stewart said.