The automotive lithium-ion battery joint venture formed between Daimler AG and Evonik Industries last year, known as Deutsche Accumotive GmbH & Co. KG, will finally begin construction of its production facility in Kamenz, Germany, this autumn.
Initial capacity of the plant is predicted to be up to 300,000 cells per year, all being targeted for Mercedes vehicles. It is hoped that the lithium-ion battery systems will start to appear in Mercedes vehicles beginning in 2012.
The company is focused on system integration, development and production. Professor Herbert Kohler, the Head of E-Drive & Future Mobility at Daimler AG, described the joint venture as an important resource for the auto industry to develop these batteries and also distribute them to third parties.
The site is close to Li-Tec Battery GmbH, another joint venture between Daimler and Evonik.
The facility could have repercussions for US-based Tesla Motors too, with Daimler taking a near 10 per cent equity stake in the company in May this year. The two manufacturers have already been working together to integrate Tesla’s lithium-ion battery packs and charging electronics into the first 1,000 units of Daimler’s electric smart car.
