Gotion Inc., a subsidiary of a billion-dollar Chinese energy firm, is taking legal action against a small Michigan town over opposition to its massive electric vehicle (EV) battery project. The company filed a breach-of-contract complaint against Green Charter Township, sparking a feud that has escalated in recent months.
Green Charter officials have halted Gotion’s proposed project within the town’s jurisdiction, leading to the lawsuit. The township’s Supervisor, Jason Kruse, expressed disappointment in the company’s decision to pursue legal action and vowed to vigorously defend the township’s position.
The issue dates back to October 2022 when Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Gotion’s $2.4 billion investment in constructing production plants in Green Charter. The project has faced local opposition due to concerns about Gotion’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party, leading to a successful recall effort of town board members who supported the project.
Former U.S. Ambassadors and watchdog groups have raised national security concerns over Gotion’s project, criticizing the company’s tactics and disregard for local opposition. The lawsuit filed by Gotion seeks to reinstate permits canceled by the township and move the battery project forward.
The legal battle between Gotion and Green Charter Township highlights the complex dynamics surrounding foreign investment in local communities and the challenges of balancing economic development with national security concerns.
