Škoda has started producing battery packs for electric cars in Mladá Boleslav (Czech Republic). It is doing so based on the Volkswagen Group's modular electric platform (MEB). This makes this main Škoda plant the only European production facility for MEB battery packs outside Germany.
On the newly built production line, some 250 employees will soon assemble more than 250,000 battery systems a year. Besides Škoda, these packages will also be found in electric models from Volkswagen, Audi and CUPRA.
EUR 130 million
“Today is a very special day for Škoda Auto. With the start of production of MEB battery packs, we are now manufacturing the most important component of our electric cars at the heart of our company.” So says Michael Oeljeklaus, Škoda Auto’s board member responsible for production and logistics. “This marks the achievement of yet another milestone in our transition to electromobility. We have invested around 130 million euros in a completely new production line. We can now produce more than 250,000 MEB battery packs per year – for our own electric models, as well as those of the other Volkswagen Group brands. Our goal is clear. By 2030, we aim to be producing e-components or e-vehicles at Škoda’s three Czech plants.”
New assembly line for MEB battery packages
Škoda's new assembly line for MEB battery packs sets new standards. Standards in terms of efficiency, automation, precision and digitalisation. In cooperation with VW Group Components and partner companies and suppliers, the brand's production of battery systems takes an important step in the transition to electromobility. By the end of 2023, Škoda will reach the next milestone. Then the second expansion phase will have been realised. This will allow the plant to produce a total of more than 380,000 battery packs per year.
Production of three battery variants
In Europe, Škoda's main factory is located in Mladá Boleslav. This is the only production site outside Germany where MEB battery packs are manufactured. The smallest version with eight modules has a capacity of 55 kWh and the medium version with nine modules 62 kWh. The largest battery pack with 12 modules has 82 kWh of storage capacity. In addition to the modules of 24 cells each, the components of an MEB battery pack include an enclosure with an integrated cooling system, a battery management system and the necessary electrical connections.
Other components
Škoda also produces other e-components in Mladá Boleslav. Since autumn 2019, high-voltage traction batteries used in the Superb iV, Octavia iV and in plug-in hybrid models of other Volkswagen Group brands have been manufactured there.
Transformation gains momentum
The company's transformation has gained momentum as a result of the new production line. In line with the Next Level - Škoda Strategy 2030, Škoda plans to produce e-models or e-components in all three of the brand's production sites by the end of this decade. The company expects to increase the share of fully electric cars in Europe - depending on market developments - to 50-70 per cent by then. In line with this, ŠKODA will continue to electrify its model range in the coming years. A further three all-electric models will be added to the model range by 2030. These will all be below the Enyaq iV in terms of price and size.
Source & image: Škoda
