VW Group opens web site for next-gen battery cell growth
Volkswagen Group on Monday established a brand new plant in Salzgitter, Germany, the place the automaker will develop next-generation battery cells and manufacture them for testing functions on a pilot line.
The plant is to assist make sure that battery growth turns into a core competency at VW because the automaker appears to be like to launch dozens of EVs within the coming years. There are already 300 engineers concerned in growing and testing next-generation batteries on the web site, which is positioned near VW’s Wolfsburg headquarters.
Battery cell growth at Volkswagen Group plant in Salzgitter, Germany
The engineers are methods to extend cell capability, scale back the utilization of rare-earth supplies, and enhance sustainability of cell manufacturing. In 2020, VW may even add a battery recycling pilot line on the plant.
Salzgitter can be the place VW and Sweden’s Northvolt will construct a significant battery plant as a consequence of be operational in late 2023 or early the next 12 months. Building of the brand new plant will begin in 2020, and when full it ought to home round 700 employees. VW presently sources batteries from main suppliers CATL, LG Chem, Samsung, and SK Innovation.

Volkswagen ID three
“We already develop and manufacture energy electronics, battery techniques, electrical motors and charging techniques, and are increase battery recycling know-how,” mentioned Thomas Schmall, VW’s head of elements. “With the combination of the battery cell enterprise space, Volkswagen Group Parts is on monitor to turning into a globally main producer of e-mobility elements.”
VW’s Audi model is already promoting a quantity EV within the type of the e-tron, and its Porsche model has simply launched the Taycan. VW’s EV efforts will actually kick into excessive gear as soon as manufacturing of the ID three begins early subsequent 12 months. Whereas the compact hatch is not certain for america, we’ll see its MEB platform in a number of fashions right here beginning with the ID four small SUV in 2020.