Volvo will partner with specialist battery manufacturer Northvolt to build a ‘gigafactory’ in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The new plant will be responsible for making lithium-ion battery packs, for fitment to the next generation of electric Volvos.
A target to produce 50 gigawatt-hours of batteries every year will be sufficient to supply 500,000 electric Volvo and Polestar cars.
Sustainable battery production
© Provided by Motoring Electric Volvo and Northvolt Factory
Located in Torslanda, Gothenburg, the battery facility will have easy access to Volvo’s own manufacturing plant.
Along with increasing efficiency, such close proximity will also reduce the total lifecycle carbon emissions of each car built.
The plant itself will be powered without use of fossil fuels, and will be used to promote renewable energy sources in the region.
Up to 3,000 employees will work at the gigafactory once it is complete. Volvo has already recruited former Tesla executive Adrian Clarke to lead the production company.
Becoming a battery leader
© Provided by Motoring Electric Volvo and Northvolt Factory
Construction of the battery plant begins in 2023, following the completion of a research and development facility this year. The joint venture between the two companies will see a total of SEK 30 billion (£2.4 billion) invested.
With Volvo aiming to offer electric vehicles only by 2030, the ability to tailor batteries to new models will be vital.
“Our battery cell partnership with Northvolt is key to our strategic ambitions in electrification,” said Hakan Samuelsson, chief executive of Volvo. “We are committed to becoming a leader in the premium electric car segment and selling only pure electric vehicles by 2030.”
Peter Carlsson, CEO of Northvolt, added:“Establishing this gigafactory in Gothenburg is a decisive move, both to continue to transform one of the most dynamic automotive regions in the world, and to become the leading global supplier of sustainable batteries.”
Earlier this month, Lotus announced it would partner with Britishvolt on new battery technology.
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Keyword: Volvo and Northvolt to build Gothenburg gigafactory