Volvo Group to produce battery modules in Ghent by 2025
The new high-tech module factory is expected to operate on an almost fully automated process with robots
Volvo Group’s truck plant in Ghent, Belgium will start to produce battery modules by 2025, the company has announced.
The investment decision to install battery module manufacturing capacity in Ghent is another important step for the Volvo Group to shape its future value chain for battery systems. The battery module manufacturing line will be able to use battery cells both from partners and from the planned battery cell plant in Sweden, the manufacturer says.
“We have started the investment process to establish battery module manufacturing in Ghent. The building is expected to be 12,000 m2 and be located at the Volvo Group manufacturing site,” notes Jens Holtinger, Executive Vice President Group Trucks Operations.
In June 2022, Volvo CE delivered the world’s first construction machine built using fossil-free steel and, in August 2022, the company announced Jan Gurander would step down as Volvo Group Deputy CEO.
Holtinger adds, “The new high-tech module factory will consist of an almost fully automated process with robots. This means that employees with the necessary competences will be recruited, both externally and by building on our internal competences.”
The Volvo Group truck assembly plant in Gothenburg, Sweden, is already building heavy-duty electric trucks with the plant in Ghent expected to start produce battery electric heavy-duty trucks in the second half of 2023.
The battery packs needed to power these electric trucks are built in the Ghent plant. Volvo Group says its ambition is that at least 35% of the vehicles sold worldwide will be electric by 2030.
In September 2022, Volvo CE added upgrades to it L25 electric wheel loader.
