Volkswagen has opened a battery cell development and research laboratory in Salzgitter, Germany. This lab will primarily concentrate on the future expansion of battery technology expertise.
The German carmaker will invest about 70 million euros in the newly opened modern facility. There are four laboratories in the building. The company has 250 employees who will research cell design and analytics.
The chairman of the Volkswagen Council noted that the Salzgitter Center is an example of how the transformation of the German automotive industry from a conventional drive system to electronic mobility can be successful. According to the chairman, the company has professional researchers, and opening the center is one of the opportunities to employ as many people as possible.
By 2030, the Volkswagen Group, together with its partners, plans to have six battery-powered plants in Europe with a capacity of 240 GWh. Salzgitter produces cells with an annual capacity of 40GWh. The OEM predicts that a single cell will reduce battery costs by half.
The company explains that with the opening of the laboratories they reach a strategic phase. Volkswagen continues to prepare for its cell production and is entirely focusing on that.
2 Labs will enable Volkswagen to implement cell testing programs with 200 different analytical methods and new formulations.
New Laboratory
The Salzgitter object includes a scanning electron microscope to detect lithium. It’s one of the rare ones in the world. An automated test field can act to test cells and ensure fast charging and discharging of marks. This test includes cells that can be set from 5% to 80% in just 12 minutes.
The local laboratory has four main areas: Environmental and Safety Laboratory, Analytical Laboratory, Cell Development Laboratory, and Electrical Testing Laboratory.
The Cell Development Laboratory evaluates new materials and their suitability. Chemical formulations and other processes go through further development in this case as well. The analytical laboratory decomposes the raw materials of cells to then further analyze them. Cells undergo a range of endurance tests in the Environmental and Safety Laboratory. In contrast, a wide range of cells in the Electrical Testing Laboratory are tested for performance and measured for long-term durability.
Up to 160 employees are a part of the cell development in Salzgitter. OEM estimates that more than 1,000 people are likely to be in the employee of the Council of Europe by the end of next year.
Lastly, the future technology of the Volkswagen Group is advancing. Everything that comes out of the battery center serves the user’s convenience to get the most improved and timely benefits.
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