Think, based in Norway, said it is currently talking with eight states, including Michigan, about a location for the facilities.

Think said the manufacturing site will initially employ 300 people and have the capacity to build 16,000 vehicles each year. Another 70 people will work in the technical center.

The company hopes to ultimately employ up to 900 people and expand production capacity to 60,000 annually.

"The U.S. is quickly overtaking Europe as an attractive market for EVs and is an ideal location to engineer and build EVs," said Think CEO Richard Canny. "We see ourselves playing a small but potentially growing role in re-inventing the U.S. auto industry."

Production is expected to begin next year on the company´s all-electric vehicle that can travel up to 112 miles on one charge. The vehicle will have recyclable plastic body panels and a fully recyclable interior, the company said. Think already sells electric vehicles in Europe.

Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Jim Johnson at 937-964-1289 or jpjohnson@crain.com