Toyota has focused short-term electrification of its vehicle lineup on hybrids, saying car buyers remain hesitant to commit to all-electric vehicles. Up to now, it's imported its drive batteries as well. The company has said the Liberty plant will initially supply its Georgetown, Kentucky, vehicle assembly plant.

NikkeiAsia reported that Honda is ordering batteries from Toyota for at least 400,000 vehicles it plans to sell in the U.S. over the next 12 months.

Honda’s electrified vehicles, including EVs and hybrids, accounted for over a quarter of US sales last year. The company sold over 308,500 hybrids and 40,400 electric vehicles in the US in 2024. The batteries will likely be used in the CR-V and other Honda hybrid vehicles.