Damera to Open First U.S. Electric Bus Assembly Plant in Illinois
Photo courtesy of Damera Corporation
PEORIA, IL—Damera Corporation, a Canadian electric transit vehicle company, has announced that it will open its first U.S. assembly plant in Greater Peoria, Illinois. The company will invest $31.5 million over four years and create 90 full-time jobs supported by the state’s REV Illinois program.
Damera, the exclusive North American distributor of the Karsan eJEST zero-emission minibus, will use the new facility to assemble and service electric buses. The Peoria plant will include assembly lines, battery and charging infrastructure, testing areas, and administrative offices.
The announcement comes after connections were made at the 2024 SelectUSA Investment Summit. State and regional officials, including the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Intersect Illinois, and the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, worked together to bring Damera to Illinois.
Damera COO Roger D’Hollander emphasized the company’s long-term commitment to the Peoria area, highlighting economic growth and job creation. He also thanked Congressman LaHood for his support in the process. With recent investments from Rivian, Avina Clean Hydrogen, and Wieland North America, Illinois has become home to several clean energy companies. The state aims to have 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
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