Chinese battery giant CATL has begun test production of battery cells at its new plant in Debrecen, Hungary. Previously, there were multiple delays, forcing European automakers to source supplies from China as an alternative. More recently, political headwinds have also emerged.
CATL has begun test production at its new battery cell plant in Debrecen, Hungary. According to the company, this follows the successful fulfilment of all necessary prerequisites and regulatory requirements. The test phase aims to fully set up, optimise, and validate the production facilities and manufacturing processes before mass production begins. The first two production lines at the plant have now been commissioned for these test purposes.
However, it remains unclear when full-scale mass production of battery cells in Debrecen will actually commence. Test production in new cell factories typically lasts months rather than weeks. On the other hand, CATL is the world’s largest battery cell manufacturer, with extensive experience in the field. Its customers are eagerly awaiting the cells: according to a media report, Mercedes-Benz even had to halt production of the all-electric GLC in Bremen this summer because CATL was unable to supply enough cells. In response, the company specifically restructured its supply chain to temporarily supply Mercedes with cells from China for the GLC and VLE.
CATL announced the Debrecen plant in August 2022 as its second European cell factory, alongside the facility in Arnstadt, Thuringia, which opened at the end of 2022. 34 billion and a production capacity of up to 100 GWh per year, making it CATL’s largest factory outside China.
Source link
