Mercedes-Benz establishes new battery plant in Alabama

Mercedes-Benz has opened a new battery plant in Bibb County, Alabama just a few months before the production of the US-made Mercedes-EQ vehicles commences. The opening of the new battery plant is proof of the German automotive brand’s efforts in ramping up the production of its EVs.

“The opening of our new battery plant in Alabama is a major milestone on our way to going all-electric. With our comprehensive approach including a local cell sourcing and recycling strategy, we underline the importance of the US, where Mercedes-Benz has been successful for decades. We're proud to create new, future-proof jobs to build all-electric SUVs ‘Made in the USA' at a plant that is such an established part of our production family since 25 years,” said Mercedes-Benz Group AG Chairman of the Board of Management Ola Källenius.

The battery plant in Alabama will feature a fully digitalized production process where high-performance lithium-ion batteries will be assembled in a 984-ft production line with more than 70 workstations.

New safety and training concepts were developed for the employees at the plant. Mercedes-Benz pays particular importance to training when it comes to operational and occupational safety. For example, every team member who has access to the battery plant must complete a comprehensive high-voltage safety training course.

Mercedes-Benz will also team up with Envision AESC. The battery technology company will supply the Mercedes-Benz battery factory in Bibb County with high-performance battery modules.

“To be the leading luxury brand also in an all-electric future, Mercedes-Benz is accelerating the roll-out of its EQ models. This year our portfolio will include nine fully-electric Mercedes-EQ models globally, and we have further exciting new products in the pipeline. Establishing a strong battery cell partner network in accordance with our global production strategy is a very important milestone on our way to CO 2-neutrality,” said Mercedes-Benz Group AG Member of the Board of Management Markus Schäfer.

The Bibb Countybattery facility joins Mercedes-Benz’s global battery production network which stretches factories on three continents including in Kamenz, Germany, Beijing China, Bangkok Thailand, Jawor Poland, and Stuttgart, Germany. Each individual factories supply local vehicle production in their respective regions and, if necessary, is prepared for export.

Photos from Mercedes-Benz

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