The Franco-German battery cell manufacturer ACC has opened its first large plant in northern France, where batteries for electric vehicles are manufactured. The factory is an important contribution to the future independence of the European automotive industry to ensure, said Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (53; FDP) on Tuesday at the opening of the plant near Douvrin.
So far, battery production has mainly been in the hands of Asian manufacturers. ACC is a joint venture between the car groups Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis (peugeot, Opel, fiat) and the energy company TotalEnergies was founded in 2020.
For the first time since the aircraft manufacturer was founded airbus Europe is again creating a new industrial sector, that of the electric battery, said France’s Economics Minister Bruno Le Maire (54). He raised the political will in France and Germany for the implementation of the project, which both countries are funding with almost 1.3 billion euros.
In view of the challenges, the EU must go through China and the USA flex their muscles and defend their industry and attractiveness and workers, Le Maire said.
Other plants in Germany and Italy
The new ACC plant is an important milestone in the transformation of the European automotive industry, which is becoming more competitive and sustainable, said Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius (53). Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares (64) spoke of the change from the old to a new world.
In addition to the French Billy-Berclau-Douvrin, ACC is also building plants in Kaiserslautern, where the start is planned for 2025, and in Termoli, Italy. In total, investments of 7.3 billion euros are involved. European cell production is intended to ensure the ramp-up of electromobility. It is the largest factory of its kind in France to date.
The north of the country is developing into a center of electromobility with four large battery plants in the vicinity of the plants of major car manufacturers. Investments in the billions and around 10,000 new jobs are planned.