France djdc battery factory battery mill

Automotive Cells Company (ACC) has officially opened the first of three planned European battery gigafactories in Billy-Berclau Douvrin, France. Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz and TotalEnergies team up as ACC to build an EV. [pdf]

FAQS about France djdc battery factory battery mill

Where is ACC launching a battery Gigafactory?

Automotive Cells Company (ACC) has officially opened the first of three planned European battery gigafactories in Billy-Berclau Douvrin, France. ACC, of which Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz and TotalEnergies are key stakeholders, said the gigafactory will develop “a new generation of sustainable and efficient batteries” for electric vehicles (EVs).

Who's building a battery Gigafactory plant in France?

President Emmanuel Macron and ProLogium CEO Vincent Yang pose at France's Dunkirk, the city picked by ProLogium to build a battery gigafactory plant. /Pascal Rossignol/Pool/Reuters President Emmanuel Macron and ProLogium CEO Vincent Yang pose at France's Dunkirk, the city picked by ProLogium to build a battery gigafactory plant.

Why is France launching a battery factory?

Vincent said the factory in France is a response to multiple challenges including controlling the production chain, reducing the environmental impact of transporting batteries as it shortens shipping distances, and “helping to consolidate the European automotive industry in the face of global competition”.

Will France produce enough batteries for its own car industry?

France aims to produce enough batteries for its own car industry by 2027 and ultimately become an exporter. The sector is currently dominated by China, where energy is far cheaper than in Europe. The new gigafactory is expected to consume as much electricity as a town of 190,000 people.

Where is Billy-Berclau Gigafactory ACC battery factory?

Workers at the site of the newly constructed Billy-Berclau Gigafactory ACC battery factory, in Billy-Berclau, northern France, on 9 May 2023. © AFP - FRANCOIS LO PRESTI

Will France be able to produce enough batteries by 2027?

France is aiming to supply its automotive industry with enough batteries assembled in the country by 2027 - and even export French batteries thereafter. But it is still handicapped by the price of its energy, compared with China and the United States, which heavily subsidise this industry.