Revolutionizing the automotive industry, creating jobs for the future and introducing innovative technologies: what the Gigafactory brings to the Czech Republic

The Volkswagen Group is considering building one of six gigafactories in Central and Eastern Europe to produce battery cells for battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The Czech Republic, where ŠKODAAUTO is at the forefront of the automotive industry, is one of the few sites shortlisted. The only site that meets all the conditions, with the support of the Czech government, is the Pilsen Ligne site. His proposed CZK 120 billion investment project is the largest private investment in Czech history and will fundamentally transform the automotive industry in the Czech Republic and beyond. This article will focus on the details of a potential gigafactory in the Czech Republic, outlining the current situation in the country, what the Volkswagen Group is planning and addressing common questions.

The Czech government has clearly declared its support for the so-called Gigafactory, one of the Volkswagen Group’s planned six battery cell plants, to be built in the Czech Republic.

“The automotive industry accounts for 10% of the Czech Republic’s GDP and 25% of its exports, with hundreds of other companies and tens of thousands of employees linked to car manufacturers. If we want to fulfill it, we have to adapt to the changes that are taking place.If the Volkswagen Group approves this project, it will be the largest private investment in the history of an independent Czech Republic.” – Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic

important facts

› If the Volkswagen Group chooses the Czech Republic as the location for its Gigafactory among its most ardent competitors, it will create thousands of forward-looking jobs in the country, along with billions of dollars of investment.
› The Gigafactory is crucial in transforming the automotive industry and Skoda Auto is a key stakeholder.
› The government is ready to do whatever it takes to ensure that the Volkswagen Group’s strategic gigafactory construction project is implemented in the Czech Republic.
› The Gigafactory is a prerequisite for transforming industries and increasing the economic and social attractiveness of the Czech Republic and the Pilsen region

After a careful selection process lasting about 18 months in cooperation with CzechInvest, Plzen Linje was chosen as the ideal location. The other locations discussed do not meet the Volkswagen Group’s needs in terms of scale, water resources or critical transport infrastructure.

Create promising jobs and bring highly qualified professionals to the region

Establishing a factory in the Czech Republic will practically create a new sector of the Czech economy and produce innovative future technologies. It will also enable the entire battery production chain, from lithium mining to BEV production to recycling, to be localized in the Czech Republic, a key competitive advantage for Central and Eastern Europe. In turn, the project will supplement the public budget of over CZK 71 billion over the next ten years. Among other areas, Gigafactory will support the development of manufacturing as well as other commercial services such as insurance, transportation and warehousing. Strengthening the construction and energy sectors will bring further benefits.

“The Gigafactory is extremely important in transforming the Czech automotive industry. It will create up to 4,000 potential jobs, bring highly qualified professionals to the region, It ensures the possibility of introducing training facilities, secondary school and university courses to support the qualification of the local workforce.” – Klaus Selmer, CEO of Škoda.

The influx of qualified employees will not only boost the housing market and strengthen housing construction, but also give new impetus to the development of transport and social infrastructure, improving living standards across the region. With the consent of all stakeholders, construction of the Gigafactory will begin in the third quarter of he 2024, with production beginning in 2027 at the earliest.

The Volkswagen Group plans to build six standardized plants in Europe.

Together with partners, the Volkswagen Group plans to operate six battery cell plants in Europe with a total capacity of 240 GWh by 2030. The Salzgitter headquarters will serve as a blueprint for factories across Europe, setting new standards in terms of sustainability and innovation.

“Having millions of tests on vehicle platforms such as MQB and MEB also lays the foundation for establishing cell production. This way we can combine speed and cost optimization with the highest quality levels.” – Frank Blum, CEO, PowerCo

Standardization covers not only equipment, buildings and infrastructure, but also products, processes and IT. This also enables the rapid transformation of factories for future product and manufacturing innovations. Each plant runs entirely on renewable electricity and is designed for future closed-loop recycling.

High-tech production of battery cells

Battery manufacturing is a chemical engineering process in which cathodes and anodes are manufactured for each cell. The process begins by mixing raw materials into a paste, which is deposited onto a thin metal film. This is followed by drying and compacting the layers by rolling and trimming to the required size. The complexity of this process lies in the precisely defined parameters that are essential to the quality of each battery. For example, maintaining correct concentration, viscosity, homogeneity and residual moisture. The next step in the process is manufacturing the battery cells themselves. First, the electrodes (cathode and anode) must be stacked and wrapped in protective packaging. Electrolyte is supplied to the cell before sealing the package. The next step is the forming process, in which the battery cells are charged first. The cells are then sealed and finally tested.

sauce: Skoda