Germany – Last month Daimler Truck AG of Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Baden-Württemberg opened its dedicated battery centre in Mannheim, as a part of its long-term strategy to electrify its product portfolio. The site houses the battery R&D centre (InnoLab Battery) and the manufacturing component, which is currently producing battery cells and packs on a prototype line in order to acquire the necessary knowledge before series production in the second half of the decade can commence. The company is working on developing next-generation lithium-ion battery technology for its commercial vehicles. This battery technology centre will work in tandem with a second technology centre at the Kassel site, which is currently working on future electric drives and high-voltage components.

The existing plant covered 7,500 square metres and was extended by 3,300 square metres to house the new battery technology centre. Over 60 new machines and systems were installed to handle the coating technologies, welding, assembly and adhesive processes. 100 new staff members now work at the new centre.