Panasonic says Oklahoma no longer candidate for new battery plant

Panasonic Energy, a unit of Panasonic Holdings (6752.T), on Wednesday said Oklahoma was no longer a candidate for a new electric vehicle battery plant in the United States.

The decision by the battery supplier to EV maker Tesla (TSLA.O) came after the company in April said it was considering building a plant in Oklahoma, its third in the US

“After careful deliberations, we have made the decision not to move forward with developing the site,” Panasonic Energy said in a statement.

“This decision will not impact our operations in Nevada or Kansas,” according to the statement.

The company also said it has made “a long-term commitment to investing in and advancing the EV industry in the US” to deliver the highest-quality batteries.