Mercedes Launches €100m Battery Center

Mercedes-Benz has recently inaugurated a cutting-edge competence centre dedicated to battery cells and new manufacturing processes with the aim of reducing battery costs by up to 30%. The eCampus facility, located in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim, is a significant addition to the company's development activities in battery technology, forming part of the substantial €14 billion investment Mercedes-Benz is making this year in research and development across its plants.

The Industrial Cell Lab within the eCampus covers the entire spectrum of product and process chain related to cell development and production. This setup enables the cultivation of expertise for cost-effective manufacturing processes. Spanning an impressive 10,000 square meters, the eCampus encompasses the full scope of battery and cell technology, ranging from the development and assessment of new cell chemistries to industrial-scale cell production, as well as the testing and certification of complete battery units.

Mercedes-Benz is actively engaged in the development of various cell chemistry forms, including lithium-ion cells featuring high-energy anodes based on silicon composites with an energy density of 900 Wh/l, cobalt-free cathode chemistries, and solid-state battery technology. This strategic move aligns with the company's commitment to playing a leading role in electric mobility and fostering sustainable business practices.

According to Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Mercedes-Benz Group, the establishment of the eCampus signifies a crucial step in the company's sustainable business strategy. The goal is to drive down battery costs by over 30% in the coming years. By situating the eCampus at the core of the research and development center for drive systems, Mercedes-Benz underscores its dedication to a more sustainable future and the rich heritage of the Stuttgart-Untertürkheim location.

Efficiently scaling up production necessitates a deep understanding of cell chemistry and design, knowledge that seamlessly integrates into the series production of battery cells at partner companies. The eCampus operations will commence in two phases, with industrial production of battery cells already underway after a construction period of approximately two years. State-of-the-art production facilities within the industrial lab enable the manufacturing and testing of battery cells with diverse chemistries on an industrial scale, with the capacity to produce tens of thousands of cells annually for the development of future battery generations.