BMW is expanding battery production in Germany for mini electric cars
BMW wants to increasingly produce its electric mini models in Germany in the future. However, this requires additional battery capacity. New production facilities are therefore to be built at the BMW plant in Leipzig.
Electromobility is becoming increasingly important. For example, Mercedes-Benz wants to sell only electric vehicles by 2030. Audi is expected to be ready by 2026. BMW has also set itself corresponding targets – by 2030 around 50 percent of all models are to roll off the assembly line fully electrically.
The group now sells around 240,000 to 245,000 vehicles with electric drives per year. That corresponds to a tenth of all sales. In the coming years, BMW wants to increasingly shift its electric car production from China to Germany. In order for this to succeed, however, significantly more battery capacity is required.
BMW increases battery production for electric mini models
The enterprise therefore announced recentlyto want to boost battery production at its plant in Leipzig. The batteries manufactured there can then be used directly in two new mini models. The new fully electric Mini Countryman is expected to start in 2023, followed by the Mini Aceman in 2024.
The third production line will go into operation by 2024 at the latest. Then, in all likelihood, two more will follow. BMW currently produces batteries for electric vehicles at four different locations: in Dingolfing, Regensburg, Spartanburg and Shenyang. Leipzig will then be the fifth location.
Demand for electric vehicles is constantly increasing
In addition to the electric mini models, the company also needs the batteries for models from the BMW division. The demand for electric vehicles is increasing. However, the required raw materials are sometimes becoming increasingly difficult to obtain.
One reason why many companies now rely on the recycling of these same raw materials. The coming years will show to what extent the production in Leipzig is sufficient. Otherwise nothing else should stand in the way of further projects.
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