One of the companies fully committed to electric vehicle development is Volkswagen (VW), aware of all the effort, investment and work required to perfect the batteries, one of the most important areas in this sector. For this reason, they will have a new laboratory in Germany serving as a fundamental manufacturing base.
Located in Salzgitter, the research and development center was created in order to significantly increase the range of electrified cars, with an investment of 70 million euros to produce battery cells on a large scale, putting an end to outside orders placed with other companies to satisfy this need.
The site is now fully operational. It was inaugurated on September 13 and was attended by Thomas Schmall, Director of Technology and Components at Volkswagen, who unveiled the project as the first step towards the extension of a larger complex, providing major sources of jobs for the region.
“With the new, state-of-the-art laboratories, we are further expanding our expertise in the development, process and production of battery cell, the heart of the electric vehicle. The Volkswagen site in Salzgitter demonstrates how the transformation of the German automotive industry from conventional propulsion systems to electric mobility can be successful,” said Schmall via an official brand statement.
The 2,500-square-meter structure will house various tests that will benefit or clarify the path to green mobility. Tests of up to 200 different analytical methods and development of new formulas allowing higher energy loads will be part of VW’s project.
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A small batch of batteries intended for testing has already started its work line. However, major breakthroughs are expected by 2025, when production of battery cells at considerable volumes will begin, reducing the final price of electrified vehicles assembled by the German brand.
Written by | Ronald Ortega
