TURIN. The challenge of the electric car requires colossal investments to create ever more powerful and efficient batteries. The path of industrial cooperation between the major players in the sector is therefore an obligatory choice to divide risks and outlays. This is how Mercedes-Benz becomes a partner of Automotive Cells Company (Acc), a company established last year by Stellantis and TotalEnergies for the production of batteries. The three partners will each have one third of the company’s share. Following the entry of Mercedes, the partners pledge to increase Acc’s industrial capacity to at least 120 GWh by 2030.
Stellantis and TotalEnergies, together with its subsidiary Saft, have formed Acc to create a European leader in the electric vehicle battery sector and enjoys the support of the French, German and European authorities. The company’s main objective is to develop and manufacture battery cells and modules for electric vehicles with a focus on safety, performance and competitiveness, while ensuring maximum quality and a minimum carbon footprint. Acc’s planned capacity increase involves an investment of over seven billion euros, which will be supported by grants and funded by equity and debt.
According to the three partners, the creation of this European leader in the battery sector will help Europe face the challenges of the energy transition in the field of mobility, ensuring the security of supply of a key component for the electric car industry. “Acc – underlines a note – will be able to count on a winning trio of partners who combine: the deep technological expertise in the development of batteries of Saft, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, which boasts over 100 years of experience in the sector of long-life batteries and battery systems; a protagonist of global mobility like Stellantis, whose clear mission is to guarantee freedom of movement for all through exclusive, attractive, accessible and sustainable mobility solutions; Mercedes-Benz’s experience in research and development, as well as its support for the expansion of Acc’s production facilities on the basis of the reference quality standards of the brand ».
It is the CEO of Stellantis himself, Carlos Tavares, who explains the strategic value of the agreement for the group chaired by John Elkann. “We are at the next step in our plan to become the leader of the automotive sector, with all 14 brands committed to offering the best solutions fully electrified and able to meet customer needs – says the Portuguese manager – This partnership is based on sharing of technical skills and production synergies and ensures that Stellantis continues to show the world how to move in the most efficient, convenient and sustainable way ».
Ola Källenius, CEO of Daimler and Mercedes-Benz, adds: “This new partnership allows us to secure supply, take advantage of economies of scale and provide our customers with superior battery technology. Furthermore, we will be able to help ensure that Europe remains at the center of the automotive industry, even in the age of electrification ”.