Mercedes-Benz has announced it is joining Stellantis and Total Energies in newly established European battery cell manufacturer Automotive Cells Company (ACC). The automaker are taking an equity stake with the aim of becoming a full battery electric vehicle (BEV) brand.
Mercedes-Benz has announced it is joining Stellantis and Total Energies in newly established European battery cell manufacturer Automotive Cells Company (ACC). The automaker are taking an equity stake with the aim of becoming a full battery electric vehicle (BEV) brand.
Timeline of ACC
- ACC was initially established by Stellantis and Total Energies and have sought to bring in new partners.
- Initially ACC was a consortium which had the Total petroleum company $TOT represented by its battery company Saft, and Groupe PSA and Opel as its partners.
- The Total/Saft part of the entity consolidated into a new unit called TotalEnergies
- The merger of PSA and FCA made Stellantis the main automotive partner
- Mercedes-Benz has now joined as the third partner with an equal third share in the business.
ACC will be supported by a winning trio of partners that combine:
- A deep technological expertise in battery development with Saft, an affiliate of TotalEnergies, which has more than 100 years of experience in the field of long-life batteries and battery systems.
- A leading global mobility player with Stellantis that has a clear mission to provide cutting-edge technology to ensure freedom of movement for all through distinctive, appealing, affordable and sustainable mobility solutions.
- The research and development expertise of Mercedes-Benz, along with its support to the expansion of ACC’s production facilities based on the brand’s benchmark quality standards.
Mercedes-Benz’s investment supports its plans to become a full battery electric vehicle (BEV) brand by the end of the decade. This is supported by investing in 200 Gigawatt hours of annual battery production by 2030. Thus will be realized by a pledge to build eight cell factories worldwide together with partners, four of which will be based in Europe.The ACC investment ramps up its plans for cell production in order to secure sufficient battery capacity to become a fully BEV brand by 2030. In times of supply crunches of commodities and technology it is a strategic move.
The European Union allocated funding to ACC when it was born out of PSA and Opel both starting battery partnerships with Total-Saft. The EU supports automotive battery manufacturing in in order to ensure supply security and lessen the dependence of the European carmakers on foreign suppliers and technology.
About TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies is a broad energy company that produces and markets energies on a global scale: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our 105,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, clean, reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.
About Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz AG is responsible for the global business of Mercedes-Benz Cars and Mercedes-Benz Vans, with over 170,000 employees worldwide. The company focuses on the development, production and sales of passenger cars, vans and vehicle-related services. Furthermore, the company aspires to be the leader in the fields of electric mobility and vehicle software. Mercedes-Benz AG is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of luxury passenger cars. In its two business segments, Mercedes-Benz AG is continually expanding its worldwide production network with around 35 production sites on four continents, while gearing itself to meet the requirements of electric mobility. At the same time, the company is constructing and extending its global battery production network on three continents.
About ACC Automotive
Cells Company (ACC) was founded in August 2020 and to date combines the expertise of three major companies with complementary skills and experience. ACC’s ambition is to become the European market leader for car batteries that allow clean and efficient mobility for all. The R&D Center and testing facilities in Nouvelle-Aquitaine are just the beginning.
Source: IHS Markit AutoIntelligence ACC
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