CATL kick starts 100 GWh battery plant construction in Hungary
Chinese battery maker CATL has just signed a land pre-purchase agreement with the Hungarian city of Debrecen, thereby officially confirming the proposed battery manufacturing facility in the European country. With an investment of € 7.34 billion, the plant envisions a production capacity of 100 GWh.
The plant construction is expected to take no more than 64 months, with an aim to operationalize the first building by this year-end subject to approvals, according to sources.
According to Chinese media reports, CATL Chairman Robin Zeng was quoted saying that the plant is a major step in improving his company's global strategy, along with commitment towards the Hungarian electric vehicle industry.
CATL's investment is considered as one of the top five green-field investments in Europe ever made in 10 years, and the largest of its kind in Hungary's history.
The Hungarian plant will be the Chinese company's second manufacturing base in Europe, the other one being recently operationalized in Germany. It is also close to the vehicle manufacturing facilities of major European brands including Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, BMW, and Volkswagen.
Reports quote Markus Schafer, Mercedes' Chief Technology Officer, that Mercedes-Benz will be the new plant's first and largest customer at the initial capacity scale.
It is to be noted that Chinese EV maker NIO has also a battery swap station plant in Hungary, some 220 kms away from the CATL's proposed facility.
