Stellantis / CATL Looking To Open Battery Plant In Europe

Spain could become the home of Stellantis’ fourth plant for battery production in Europe. News from various reports puts Stellantis and CATL actively looking for a site to start construction on a new battery plant. In November 2023, Stellantis and the Chinese battery supplier signed a memorandum of understanding stipulating that CATL would supply Stellantis with lithium-iron-phosphate battery cells and modules.

Stellantis has already announced the construction of factories for batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) in France, Germany, and Italy. There is strong speculation suggesting that Stellantis could establish a plant for the production of EV batteries in Spain, as it already has manufacturing facilities in Madrid, Vigo, and Zaragoza.

Stellantis’ Global Head of Purchasing and Supply Chain, Maxima Picat, said the two companies will still take a few months to complete the definition phase of their joint venture. She did indicate that it would take roughly three years for the new battery plant in Europe to become operational once the two companies have wrapped up details of their joint venture agreement.

Planned production for the automaker’s EVs using its new STLA Small architecture is scheduled for both the Vigo and Zaragoza facilities. The Vigo Assembly Plant will focus mainly on producing vehicles for the Citroën brand.

Citroën recently announced its all-new ë-C3 B-segment crossover this year. The ë-C3 uses lithium-iron-phosphate batteries and is expected to start at €23,300 (or about $25,580 USD) when it rolls off the line. The ë-C3 is longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor and is the first vehicle to ride on the STLA Small architecture. Citroën says that it will have a 44-kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack and will be capable of a 199-mile range on the WLTP cycle and offer 100-kW DC fast-charging capability. That means the ë-C3 will be able to charge from 20% to 80% in 26 minutes.

Citroën plans to follow up in 2025 with an even cheaper version. A €19,990 (or about $21,950 USD) version with a smaller battery pack will be offered. While Citroën hasn’t released details on the battery pack yet, it is expected to be a smaller lithium-iron-phosphate pack with a range of 124 miles, which should be great for urban dwellers who don’t drive much. Nevertheless, lithium-iron-phosphate-equipped packs will offer a much lower cost than those vehicles equipped with nickel-cobalt batteries.

Source: Teslarati