This new Spanish battery facility aims to have a production capacity of up to 50 GWh when fully operational.
Stellantis has recently inked a joint venture with Chinese battery giant CATL to establish a large-scale lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery plant in Zaragoza, Spain. This project is to be a 50-50 partnership between the two parties involved, with apparently up to €4.1 billion (RM 19.14 billion) being pumped into its development.
This new site is slated to come online by the end of 2026, with it to supposedly have a production capacity of up to 50 GWh when fully operational. This new plant will incidentally be located alongside the existing Stellantis facilities in Zaragoza, and will be CATL’s third battery production facility in Europe (after its already-operational factories in Germany and Hungary).
The automotive conglomerate has not confirmed which of its exactly models will be the first to use these new Spanish-made LFP cells, but notes that this factory will allow it ‘to offer more high-quality, durable and affordable battery-electric passenger cars, crossovers and SUVs in the B and C segments with intermediate ranges.’ Stellantis is currently employing a dual-chemistry battery approach to its EVs, with LFP packs going in its more affordable offerings, while the more energy dense and expensive lithium-ion nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) cells are to be used for its higher-end and longer range products.
One other key highlight Stellantis is currently touting about this upcoming battery plant is that it has been designed to be completely carbon neutral, and will be implemented in several phases and investment plans. Stellantis says the site will also help it on its path to becoming a carbon net zero corporation by 2038.
“Stellantis is committed to a decarbonised future, embracing all available advanced battery technologies to bring competitive electric vehicle products to our customers,” stated current Stellantis chairman John Elkann. “This important joint venture with our partner CATL will bring innovative battery production to a manufacturing site that is already a leader in clean and renewable energy, helping drive a 360-degree sustainable approach.”
“The joint venture has taken our cooperation with Stellantis to new heights, and I believe our cutting-edge battery technology and outstanding operation knowhow combined with Stellantis’ decades-long experience in running business locally in Zaragoza will ensure a major success story in the industry,” CATL chairman and chief executive Robin Zeng added. “CATL’s goal is to make zero-carbon technology accessible across the globe, and we look forward to cooperating with our partners globally through more innovative cooperation models.”
