Ohio Battery Plants Now Include Forklift Batteries
Sebang Lithium Battery, maker of Li-ion packs for EVs and forklifts, won Ohio tax credits for a first US plant. What it means for Midwest forklift fleets.
Ohio’s battery belt now includes forklift batteries. Sebang Lithium Battery, a Korean maker of lithium-ion packs for electric vehicles and forklifts, won Ohio Tax Credit Authority approval on September 28, 2026 for its first US facility, in Jeffersonville, Fayette County. It sits near the $3.5 billion Honda and LG Energy Solution EV battery plant that started production this summer. For Midwest fleets, that means more demand for lift equipment now and, later, a domestic source of lithium forklift packs.
The Projects at a Glance
| Project | Location | Size / investment | Jobs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda and LG Energy Solution EV battery plant | Jeffersonville, OH | $3.5B, 2M sq ft | n/a | Production began summer 2026 |
| Sebang Lithium Battery (EV and forklift Li-ion packs) | Jeffersonville, Fayette County, OH | First US facility | 443 | Tax credits approved Sept 28, 2026 |
| Walmart non-sortable distribution center | Turtlecreek Township, OH | n/a | 315 | Tax credits approved Sept 28, 2026 |
Source: Dayton Daily News via Yahoo Finance, citing Gov. Mike DeWine’s office.
What Did the Tax Credit Authority Approve?
The Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved five projects that Monday. The governor’s office expects them to create 1,173 new jobs statewide, protect 601 existing jobs, and represent more than $431 million in investment. Sebang and Walmart together account for 758 of those new jobs, which is why the original headline said 750.
Sebang’s project is projected to add more than $37.1 million in new annual payroll by December 31, 2029, and carries a 2.003% job creation credit over 10 years. Walmart’s is projected at $19.5 million in new annual payroll by the same date, with a 1.662% credit over nine years. The 2029 payroll date suggests hiring is planned over several years rather than a single season, so plan your equipment in phases.
Two Kinds of Forklift Demand in One Region
1. Building and running the plants. Large plants need lift equipment long before production starts. Construction and machine installation use rough-terrain and high-capacity rental units. Production then needs electric trucks to move materials, components, and finished packs. Battery plants handle heavy, high-value loads, so check capacity with attachments and keep operator training current. See our OSHA forklift certification guide.
2. Distribution. The Walmart non-sortable distribution center approved the same day is a different profile. It is planned for Walmart’s next-day delivery network and has space for exceptionally big or bulky items. Those goods do not fit a sorter, so they move mostly by counterbalance trucks and reach trucks. It complements the existing Walmart fulfillment operation in Monroe, which employs more than 200 associates. Our forklift classes guide explains which class fits which job.
How Does the Honda and LG Plant Fit In?
Honda and LG Energy invested $3.5 billion in the 2 million square foot Jeffersonville plant, and the Dayton Daily News reports it launched production this summer. The article does not cover its jobs or tax credits, so we do not estimate its fleet. A plant of that scale, with a supplier like Sebang next door, still shows why the region is a busy market for lift equipment, from construction rentals to the electric trucks that run the lines.
What Does a New Battery Plant Need at Each Stage?
| Stage | Typical lift needs | Rent or buy? |
|---|---|---|
| Site construction | Rough-terrain and high-capacity trucks for steel, precast, and materials | Rent |
| Equipment installation | Heavy-capacity trucks with the right attachments for production machinery | Rent, with a defined end date |
| Line commissioning | Electric trucks for components and test packs | Rent or short lease |
| Steady production | Electric fleet for materials and finished goods, plus a few spares | Buy or lease the core fleet |
The pattern is simple: the earlier the stage, the more the work happens on rough ground and the shorter the need. Rent early and own late. The break point is usually when production volume stops changing month to month and you know how many trucks run each shift. Our buy vs rent vs lease comparison shows how to price that switch.
What a US Forklift Battery Supplier Could Change
A domestic plant that builds forklift packs could shorten lead times and cut shipping cost for Midwest buyers. It is too early to price that in. Sebang’s plant was only approved for incentives in September 2026. A Korean outlet reported in June that Sebang will set up an Ohio subsidiary to make battery modules for LG Energy Solution’s grid-scale energy storage products, so forklift packs may be only part of what the site builds.
If you are considering a lithium conversion now, base the decision on today’s numbers:
- Payback. Our lithium forklift battery guide shows typical payback ranges by operation type.
- Battery chemistry. Lithium vs lead-acid compares lifespan, charging, and maintenance.
- Fleet economics. The electric forklift fleet savings guide models fuel, maintenance, and downtime across a fleet.
Renting Near the Columbus-Dayton Corridor
Project-based work like plant construction suits short-term rentals, and a busy construction season can tighten local availability of high-capacity and rough-terrain units. Book early and compare all-in quotes. Our forklift rental near me guide covers what to ask, and the forklift rental cost guide shows typical rates.
What to Do Next
- Decide which stage your site is in, then match rentals to that stage only.
- Write the end date into the rental agreement. Our rental agreement guide lists the clauses to check.
- Keep operator evaluations current. OSHA requires an evaluation at least once every three years.
- If you plan to buy electric trucks, ask suppliers for current lithium quotes instead of waiting for a local plant.
Sources
- Dayton Daily News via Yahoo Finance, “750 regional jobs open: battery plant, Walmart distribution center approved for tax credits” (https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/policy/articles/750-regional-jobs-open-battery-183400716.html)
Hero photo: ELEVATE on Pexels (https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-riding-on-yellow-forklift-1267329/)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a forklift battery factory in Ohio?
One is planned. Sebang Lithium Battery, a Korean company that makes lithium-ion battery packs for electric vehicles, forklifts, and other vehicles, won Ohio Tax Credit Authority approval on September 28, 2026 for its first US facility in Jeffersonville, Fayette County. The plant would make energy storage modules and battery packs and is expected to create 443 jobs.
What is the Honda and LG battery plant in Ohio?
Honda and LG Energy Solution invested $3.5 billion in a 2 million square foot EV battery plant in Jeffersonville, Ohio, which began production in summer 2026. It anchors a growing battery manufacturing cluster between Columbus and Dayton.
Will a US forklift battery plant lower lithium battery prices?
It is too early to put a number on it. Sebang's Ohio facility was only approved for tax credits in September 2026. A domestic supplier can shorten lead times and reduce shipping costs for Midwest buyers over time, but quote lithium conversions on today's prices, not on expected future savings.
Do new battery plants need forklifts?
Yes, in two waves. Construction and equipment installation need rough-terrain and high-capacity rental units, then production lines need electric trucks for materials and finished goods. Battery plants also handle heavy, high-value loads, so capacity ratings and operator training matter more than usual.