BMW Group recently announced plans to spend more than €2 billion Hungarian Plant Debrecen to produce its next-generation electric batteries, as per InsideEVs.
“In Debrecen, the next-generation round battery cells will be assembled into a battery housing – a metal frame, which is later integrated into the underbody of the car. The official start of production for the sixth generation high-voltage batteries will be in 2025 – in parallel with the start of vehicle production. All batteries for the vehicles from Plant Debrecen will be assembled on site. The new production facility will extend over an area of about 140,000 m². Construction work recently began.”
Milan Nedeljkovi, Production Member of the BMW AG Board of Management
The Hungarian Plant Debrecen
It is not by chance that the plant is situated in Hungary, Europe. In fact, the Chinese partners of the BMW Group will also manufacture li-ion battery cells there.
For instance, the construction of an enormous 100 GWh battery factory in Debrecen has previously been confirmed by CATL. On the other hand, the location of EVE Energy‘s battery facility in Europe has yet to be determined.
Moreover, the BMW Group is beginning a comparable project in South Carolina, USA. It is also remarkable that the firm can manufacture at least six all-electric BMW X vehicles and battery packs thanks to a $1.7 billion investment.
Vehicle production
Apart from the newly announced battery production, the plant in Debrecen (under development for around 6 months) is also intended for electric vehicle manufacturing. Starting in 2025, these EVs will be built using the Neue Klasse architecture.
The utilization of cylindrical li-ion battery cells, including the 4695 and 46120 sizes, is one of the fundamental components of the Neue Klasse. Notably, they should increase the driving range by 30%.
Battery production
From a logistics standpoint, producing cars and battery packs at the same facility is more cost-effective.
By 2025, the German company plans to invest over €2 billion ($2 billion) in this new production plant. It will produce high-voltage batteries, which will significantly help the company to advance in the market.
“In Debrecen, we are building the most advanced plant in the world. With our iFACTORY, we are setting new industry standards for vehicle production. Our investments underline our systematic approach to implementing e-mobility.”
Milan Nedeljkovi, Production Member of the BMW AG Board of Management
By the end of 2025, the company will have added over 500 jobs to its workforce through the development and operation of the plant.
