expansion plan for

Visatronic, the newly acquired subsidiary of Germany’s BMZ lithium battery systems group, is to invest nearly €4 million ($4.3 million) to expand production capacity.

BMZ said on May 31 that the electronic flat modules producer, which it took over as of March 1, plans to increase the production area at its plant in Mainhausen by 800m² to eventually double manufacturing capacity and sales — although the company did not disclose any numbers.

Visatronic’s workforce is also set to expand to nearly 100.

The project follows increased orders from customers, the company said.

BMZ founder and CEO Sven Bauer said in March that the takeover of Visatronic — a long-standing supplier to the battery company — “strengthened another important madein-Germany factor in battery manufacturing”. Bauer said such moves were indispensable for tech companies in times of uncertain supply chains.

Russian EV, ESS battery prototypes

Russia claimed on May 12 it will have produced prototype batteries to power a domestic range of EVs and energy storage systems by the middle of the year.

State-owned Rosatom says its energy storage manufacturing subsidiary, Renera, will have the first lithium ion battery prototypes ready by mid-2023.

The company said the EV batteries will have a driving range of up to 500km and be adapted to operation and charging at low temperatures, taking into account Russia’s complex weather.

SSE go-ahead for 150MW BESS project in UK

SSE Renewables has taken a final investment decision to build a 150MW BESS at a former coal-fired power station in the UK, the company said on May 12.

Financial details of the plans for the former Ferrybridge plant in West Yorkshire were not disclosed. However, SSE said the project is part of a £25 billion ($31 billion) investment program.

Construction was set to start in May with grid connection confirmed for June 2024.

Sungrow Power Supply has been contracted to provide its liquid cooled, lithium-based PowerTitan energy storage technology for the project.

SSE also announced that its Solar and Battery team is to become part of SSE Renewables to develop a near 2GW pipeline of battery and solar projects in the UK and Ireland.

Germany aid pledge for Northvolt EV battery cells plant

Federal and state governments in Germany said on May 12 they will give financial backing for Swedish battery maker Northvolt to build a gigafactory in the country.

Financial details, which will require European Union approval under state-aid rules, were not disclosed.

But Northvolt said the backing would “unlock a multi-billion euro private investment”, creating 3,000 direct jobs at the 60GWh a year EV battery cells plant in Heide — which could start production in 2026.

Federal and state funding will in part be made under the EU’s temporary crisis and transition framework, to support economies following the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

If the EU gives the goahead, this would be the first time the framework funding has been deployed in Germany.

Northvolt said in March last year that it had selected Heide, in northern Germany, as the site for its third lithium ion gigafactory — dubbed ‘Northvolt Drei’.

New NYC bid to stamp out lithium battery fires

New York City fire commissioner Laura Kavanagh said on May 17 she would consider supporting further measures aimed at stamping out lithium ion battery fires.

The move came after NYC mayor Eric Adams said on March 20 he had signed five new laws that included a tightening of regulations on the sale of lithium batteries in New York as part of a ‘Charge Safe, Ride Safe: New York City’s Electric Micromobility Action Plan’.

Now Kavanagh has told an NYC city council budget meting she would consider backing a proposal for a buyback program, so New Yorkers could exchange the lithium ion batteries in their electric scooters and bikes for unspecified safer options.

EU go-ahead for €837m Spanish battery aid scheme

The European Commission said on May 11 it had approved an €837 million ($909 million) Spanish aid scheme to finance battery production.

Under the scheme, companies producing batteries and related essential components and raw materials will be able to apply for grants and loans.

The aid package was approved under the EU’s state aid temporary crisis and transition framework, designed to incentivize the production of equipment for the transition towards a net-zero economy. The maximum aid amount per beneficiary will range between €100 million and €300 million for investment in the field of batteries.

Eve Energy agrees battery plant deal for Malaysia

Eve Energy is to build a lithium ion batteries plant in Malaysia, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) said on May 12.

The Malaysian arm of the Chinese company has signed a memorandum of understanding for the project in Kedah state with property developer Pemaju Kelang Lama.

Eve will invest the equivalent of around $422 million in the plant, which will focus on production of cylindrical batteries for electric twowheel vehicles and power tools.

Malaysian investment, trade and industry minister Tengku Zafrul said: “The establishment of a cutting-edge manufacturing facility dedicated to the production of cylindrical lithium ion batteries exemplifies this commitment.”

SAIC launches Thai battery project as CATL talks start Chinese auto firm SAIC Motor has broken ground for a batteries and EV components plant on an industrial park in Thailand with Thai partner the Zhengda Group.

The May 2 announcement came the day before the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) said talks were also underway with several companies, including China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), in a bid to expand battery production in Thailand.

BOI posted a report on its website quoting secretary general Narit Therdsteerasukdi as saying: “We are talking to many companies in the battery industry, not only CATL… to attract battery cell producers to set up factories in Thailand.”

SAIC did not disclose financial or production capacity details of its project, which it said would be fully completed in 2025.

Eve Power to build first Europe battery plant in Hungary Chinese battery maker Eve Power is to invest around HUF 400 billion ($1.18 billion) to build its first European plant in Hungary, the country’s foreign and trade minister Péter Szijjártó said on May 10.

Szijjártó said the government will contribute HUF 14 billion to support the project, which will be built in Debrecen.

BMW has already asked Eve to supply batteries for the plant it is building in Debrecen, Szijjártó said.

According to Szijjártó, 95% of the water needs of the plant will be provided from treated wastewater and surface water, and the company will also recycle part of the technological wastewater on site.