When will CATL's new battery plant in Hungary start production?

CATL’s new battery plant in Hungary is set to begin production early next year, marking a major step in the Chinese company’s European expansion. Chinese battery maker CATL's new plant in Hungary is expected to start production by early next year, its general manager for Europe said on Sunday, as the company looks to the region for growth.

Why are EV traction batteries made in Hungary?

Over the last years, many of the leader EV traction battery manufacturers and their suppliers chose Hungary as the location of their newly established manufacturing plants. This is in line with the goal of the Hungarian government to become one of the main battery producer countries not only in Europe, but also at global level.

Who makes EV batteries in Hungary?

The only exception is BYD, which operates (among others) a bus assembly plant in Hungary and uses its own batteries. In below, we provide a slight overview about the EV battery producer companies which already operate manufacturing plants in Hungary or announced to do so in the near future.

How many GWh a year does a battery produce in Hungary?

Indeed, by November 2023, battery production capacity in Hungary reportedly already reached 87 GWh/year, not including the newest SK Innovation plant, which is expected to begin production soon and to provide an additional output of 30 GWh/year alone when operating on full throttle.

Should Hungary invest in EV battery plants?

Within the European Union, Hungary puts a particularly high stake on EV battery plants, in the hope that it will find itself among the leading countries of an emerging industry within a few years. Commitment to green mobility is not the only motivation for attracting large battery manufacturers to the small Central European country.

Is a new BMW battery factory coming to Hungary?

According to the rumours, this facility would produce 46120-type cylindrical cells, to be used exclusively in BMW cars – more precisely, the planned new manufacturing unit is expected to supply the also recently-announced BMW battery module assembly plant in Debrecen, Hungary.