Headline

Volkswagen starts producing its own battery cells

Paul van Gerven
Reading time: 1 minute

Yesterday, Volkswagen opened a pilot production line for lithium-ion battery cells in Salzgitter, near Wolfsburg. It’s the first step towards building a gigafactory in the same town, for which the car company partners with Northvolt from Sweden. Construction of the 16 gigawatt-hour plant, a 50/50 joint venture, is scheduled to start next year and will take approximately four years.

Along with the pilot line, Volkswagen formed a dedicated battery cell business area as a part of its Components division. “We already develop and manufacture power electronics, battery systems, electric motors and charging systems, and are building up battery recycling know-how. With the integration of the battery cell business area, Volkswagen Group Components is on track to becoming a globally leading producer of e-mobility components,” said Thomas Schmall, chairman of the Components’ group board of management.

Volkswagen currently sources its automotive batteries from Asian suppliers.

This article is exclusively available to premium members of Bits&Chips. Already a premium member? Please log in. Not yet a premium member? Become one for only €15 and enjoy all the benefits.

Login

Related content