Electric vehicle maker Rivian is ramping up its manufacturing footprint in Normal, Illinois, to prepare for the production of the company’s upcoming R2 electric vehicle.

The expansion involves building a new 1.1-million-square-foot facility focused on body shop and general assembly operations, along with additional structures for paint, battery systems, and material logistics. The move will help Rivian increase its capacity to make 215,000 electric vehicles per year.

Last year, Rivian announced it was investing $1.5 billion to expand the plant, with support from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who also announced that the state would offer a 30-year incentive package with the expectation that Rivian would add 550 or more new employees.

Rivan plans to leverage its existing 4.3 million-square-foot facility, which currently supports R1 and commercial van production, to accelerate the R2 rollout using its experienced workforce and established infrastructure.