BMW to significantly expand capacity for EVs at German plant

BMW has announced plans to further expand its production capacities for electric drivetrains in Germany, with a view to coating battery cells for high-voltage batteries at the BMW plant in Regensburg from 2021, with complete high-voltage batteries produced from 2022.

The plant already produces plug-in hybrids of the X1 and X2 compact SUVs in parallel with the combustion engine derivatives, and according to an announcement, the company is investing more than 150 million euros in the site to supply batteries to its increased production run of electric vehicles. In a first step, the coating of battery cells is to begin in 2021, followed in 2022 by the assembly of ready-to-install high-voltage batteries from battery modules.

According to BMW, cell coating increases the mechanical robustness and thermal conductivity of the battery cell and Regensburg plant manager Frank Bachmann has stated that the investment in the new production area should create “at least 300 sustainable jobs” by 2024″ as the plant is prepares itself following BMW’s multi-energy strategy to be able to react flexibly to the demand for different drive systems in the future.

“Electric mobility is substantially driving growth for the BMW Group, and this development is also reflected in our e-drive production,” explained Michael Nikolaides, Head of Planning and Production Engines and E-drives. “Now Regensburg will see battery component production added in 2021, followed just a year later by high-voltage battery production. All of this demonstrates that we are consistently ramping up the production of e-drives.”