Daimler Truck has officially opened its Battery Technology Center (BTC) at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Mannheim, Germany. The facility, covering over 10,000 square meters, combines development and production of battery technology for electric commercial vehicles.
The BTC features two main production areas: one for pilot cell production to build process knowledge, and another for manufacturing battery pack prototypes for testing. The pilot line for battery packs is preparing the site for future series production, planned for the second half of the decade.
Andreas Gorbach, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck responsible for Truck Technology, stated: “The opening of our Battery Technology Center is an important step in terms of electrifying our product portfolio – and yet another milestone in the history of innovation at the Mannheim plant. We have decided to take care of the assembly of the future battery generation ourselves and thus keep important added value in-house.”
The facility is equipped with over 60 new machines and systems, capable of mapping relevant processes for prototypical production of battery cells and systems. It is divided into a cell area for gaining product and process knowledge regarding battery cell manufacturing, and a pilot line for battery pack production.
Michael Salmen, Head of Production Planning Battery and BTC, added: “At the Battery Technology Center, we are building up expertise and making a direct contribution to the development and maturation of future products with our prototypes. At the same time, development and production planning work closely together here - as a real team.”
The BTC employs approximately 100 people and features a modern office concept with different work zones. The building includes green elements such as vertical wall-mounted greening, an extensive green roof, and photovoltaic systems capable of powering around 50 detached houses.
“The Battery Technology Center is an important strategic part of the transformation of our traditional engine plant towards emission-free drives. On the one hand, we will continue to build engines in Mannheim for a long time to come, but at the same time, with the BTC we are creating the basis for the future series production of battery systems,” commented Bruno Buschbacher, Chairman of the Works Council Mercedes-Benz Plant Mannheim.
The Mercedes-Benz Mannheim plant, founded in 1908, currently employs over 4,600 people producing engines and related components for commercial vehicles. It serves as Daimler Truck’s competence center for battery technology and high-voltage systems.
