Revolutionising the automotive trade, creating future-proof jobs and introducing revolutionary expertise: what a gigafactory might convey to the Czech Republic

The Volkswagen Group is contemplating constructing considered one of six gigafactories in Central and Japanese Europe to provide battery cells for battery-electric automobiles (BEV). With its auto trade spearheaded by ŠKODA AUTO, the Czech Republic is among the many few websites to be shortlisted. Backed by the Czech authorities, the one location that ticks all of the containers is the Pilsen–Líně web site. The proposed funding mission price CZK 120 billion represents the biggest non-public funding in Czech historical past and would radically rework the automotive trade within the Czech Republic and past. This text highlights the small print of the potential gigafactory within the Czech Republic, outlining the present state of affairs within the nation, what the Volkswagen Group is planning in addition to addressing frequent questions.

The Czech authorities has unequivocally declared its help for the Volkswagen Group to construct considered one of its six deliberate battery cell factories – a so-called gigafactory – within the Czech Republic.

“The automotive trade accounts for 10% of GDP and 25% of the Czech Republic’s exports, and a whole bunch of different firms and tens of 1000’s of staff are linked to automotive producers. If we wish this sector to play a major position sooner or later, we have to adapt to the modifications going down in it. If the Volkswagen Group confirms the mission, it will likely be the biggest non-public funding within the historical past of the unbiased Czech Republic.” – Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic

KEY FACTS

› If the Volkswagen Group chooses the Czech Republic as the placement for a gigafactory amongst a number of extremely engaged rivals, 1000’s of future-proof jobs could be created within the nation together with billions in investments
› The gigafactory could be essential to remodeling the automotive trade and ŠKODA AUTO as a serious stakeholder
› The federal government is ready to take all steps to make sure that the Volkswagen Group’s strategic gigafactory building mission is applied within the Czech Republic
› The gigafactory is a prerequisite for industrially remodeling and growing the financial and social attractiveness of the Czech Republic and the Pilsen area

In cooperation with CzechInvest, Plzeň–Líně was chosen as the best location after a cautious choice course of lasting virtually 18 months. The opposite areas mentioned don’t meet the Volkswagen Group’s wants when it comes to measurement, water assets or important transport infrastructure.

Creating future-proof jobs and bringing extremely certified consultants into the area

Establishing the plant within the Czech Republic would virtually create a brand new sector of the Czech financial system and provides rise to the manufacturing of revolutionary future applied sciences. It will additionally enable for the whole battery manufacturing chain – from lithium mining, and the manufacturing of BEVs to recycling – to be localised within the Czech Republic and thus convey a key aggressive benefit to Central and Japanese Europe. In flip, the mission would complement public budgets with over CZK 71 billion over the following decade. Amongst different areas, the gigafactory would help the manufacturing trade in addition to the event of different business companies comparable to insurance coverage, transport and warehousing. Strengthening the development and vitality sectors would add additional advantages.

“The gigafactory could be essential to remodeling the Czech automotive trade. It will create as much as 4,000 future-proof jobs, convey extremely certified consultants into the area and safe the potential to introduce coaching services, secondary faculty and college programs to help faculty graduates and the native workforce in acquiring their {qualifications}.” – Klaus Zellmer, ŠKODA CEO

The inflow of certified staff would enhance the housing market and intensify housing building, in addition to offering recent impetus to the event of transport and social infrastructure, elevating dwelling requirements throughout the area. With the settlement of all stakeholders, building of the gigafactory would start within the third quarter of 2024, with manufacturing ramping up as early as 2027.

Volkswagen Group intends to construct six standardised factories in Europe

In collaboration with companions, the Volkswagen Group plans to be working six battery cell factories with a complete quantity of 240 GWh in Europe by 2030. The Group will likely be basing these on a standardised manufacturing facility idea; the Salzgitter headquarters will function a blueprint for the vegetation throughout Europe and set new requirements when it comes to sustainability and innovation.

“What we now have put to the check tens of millions of occasions over with car platforms such because the MQB and MEB may even lay the muse for establishing cell manufacturing: we will likely be standardising on the idea of European requirements and upscaling. This manner, we are going to mix pace and value optimisation with the best high quality ranges.” – Frank Blome, PowerCo CEO

Standardisation is not going to solely cowl tools, buildings and infrastructure but in addition merchandise, processes and IT. This may even allow factories to be quickly transformed for future product and manufacturing improvements. Every manufacturing facility will run completely on renewable electrical energy and will likely be designed for future closed-loop recycling.

Excessive-tech manufacturing of battery cells

Battery manufacturing is a chemical-technological course of, with a cathode and anode being produced for every cell. The method begins by mixing the feedstock right into a paste, which is then deposited on a skinny steel movie. That is adopted by drying and compacting the layer by rolling and trimming it to the required measurement. The complexity of this course of lies within the exactly outlined parameters which might be important for the standard of every battery, for instance, sustaining the right focus, viscosity, homogeneity and residual moisture. The subsequent step within the course of is producing the battery cell itself. First, the electrodes (cathodes and anodes) have to be stacked after which wrapped in protecting packaging. Earlier than sealing the package deal, the electrolyte is fed into the cell. The subsequent step is the formation course of, the place the battery cells are electrically charged for the primary time. Solely then is the cell hermetically sealed and at last examined.

SOURCE: ŠKODA