Škoda Auto has initiated production of BEV battery systems based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform in Mladá Boleslav. As a result, the Škoda site in the Czech Republic becomes the only production facility for MEB battery systems in Europe outside Germany.
Around 250 employees will assemble more than 250,000 MEB battery systems a year on the newly constructed production line. In addition to Škoda vehicles, these will also be installed in MEB models made by VW, Audi and SEAT.
Michael Oeljeklaus, Škoda board member for production and logistics, commented, “By launching the production of MEB battery systems, we are now manufacturing the absolute key component at the heart of the company. This means we have achieved another goal towards our successful transition to electromobility.
“We have invested around €130m (US$136m) and can now produce up to 250,000 MEB battery systems a year. Our objective is clear: we want to produce e-components or e-vehicles at all three Czech plants by 2030.”
By 2030, the company also expects to have increased the share of all-electric car sales in Europe to 50-70%, depending on market developments. To achieve this, Škoda will continue to electrify its model portfolio with at least three more BEVs hitting the market before the end of the decade.
Christian Bleiel, head of component production, Škoda, added, “Our new MEB battery system assembly line sets standards in efficiency, automation, precision, cleanliness and digitalization.
“We will be reaching the next milestone at the end of 2023 when we bring the second expansion stage online, enabling us to produce more than 380,000 battery systems a year in total.”