VW and other carmakers should establish their own battery cell production – editorial

German government support for domestic battery cell production is the right step and thankfully, carmaker VW looks set to establish its own gigafactory in cooperation with Korean specialist SK Innovation, writes Stefan Menzel in an editorial in business daily Handelsblatt. “Market leader Volkswagen has a pioneering role for the entire industry, also when it comes to battery cells […] Whoever enters the technology today can determine its future direction,” writes Menzel. He argues competitors BMW and Daimler should also reconsider their refusal to make their own cells, especially with a view to avoiding increasing dependency on Asian suppliers in next generation solid state batteries. “VW takes its own path for now, but it would be the right one for the entire industry,” writes Menzel.

For background, read yesterday’s news item Econ Min Altmaier announces ambitious target for European battery cell production, the article Chinese-German battery cell deal key step for mobility transition and the dossiers Electricity storage is next feat for Germany’s energy transition.