The White House has said that President Obama is to visit Michigan Thursday for the opening of a $303 million plant that will make battery cells for electric vehicles.

On his fourth visit to Michigan since taking office, Obama will attend the groundbreaking for the Compact Power Inc. factory in Holland.

Calling for 1 million on U. S. roads within five years, Obama has been a staunch supporter of electric, plug-in vehicles.

The Detroit News has reported that the plant will produce the battery cells for the Chevrolet Volt, which rolls out in November with batteries initially imported from Korea.

LG Chem, a Korean company, and Compact, its Troy-based subsidiary, confirmed in March they planned to build the factory to make battery cells for electric vehicles including the Volt.

White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel told "PBS NewsHour", "Next week, (Obama) will be in Michigan for one of the final factories literally going up to produce alternative batteries."

Gov. Jennifer Granholm said, "Michigan is becoming a world capital for advanced batteries. Investments in clean energy manufacturing such as advanced batteries are creating jobs in Michigan and moving our state and nation to a clean energy economy."

The News further said that the plant's 120-acre site is in a Renaissance Zone, allowing it to operate free of virtually all state and local taxes. (With Inputs from Agencies)