Škoda Auto produces half a million battery systems for Volkswagen Group vehicles

May 18, 2023 by Skoda

• At its main plant in Mladá Boleslav, Škoda Auto produces battery systems for MEB cars and models with plug-in hybrid drive

•To date, Škoda has produced 500,000 battery systems for vehicles across the group

•The battery systems are used in electric models by Škoda, Volkswagen, Audi and SEAT

•The production capacity of MEB battery systems is set to increase to 1,500 units per day at the facility, in addition to 800 plug-in hybrid units

•Start of operation of a new assembly line is planned for this year

Škoda Auto has manufactured 500,000 battery systems at its main plant in Mladá Boleslav, as the brand forges ahead with its e-campaign.

The advanced MEB (Modular Electrification Toolkit) battery systems are important components fitted in MEB vehicles and models with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain across VW Group brands. Škoda is investing heavily in the transformation of its facilities and development, digitalisation and further education of its workforce, with the company already upskilling more than 23,000 employees to prepare for the demands of e-mobility.

Batteries for plug-in hybrid models

Since September 2019, high-voltage traction batteries for models with plug-in hybrid drive have been produced at the company's headquarters. The systems are used by Škoda cars, as well as group brands Audi, SEAT and Volkswagen.

Each shift at the facility sees around 50 employees working in an area of roughly 2,000 m². Every 86 seconds, a battery for MQB-based models with plug-in hybrid drivetrain is completed. When it is being unloaded from the production line the battery weighs approximately 130 kilograms, with a team of 13 fully automated robots employed to handle particularly heavy components on the production line.

---

Trending News

• The AA signs up to provide comprehensive Farizon SV aftersales support
• Summer offers arrive early at Skywell
• Bentley Motors unveils a bespoke surfboard in collaboration with Marnie Rays and Otter Surfboards
• Boreal, the new high-tech, head-turning SUV to wow markets beyond Europe
• ZF pushes range extender technology to the next level: A boost for the electric range

---

Production of MEB battery systems launched in May 2022

In May 2022, Škoda Auto launched the production of battery systems for all-electric vehicles based on the Volkswagen Group's Modular Electrification Toolkit (MEB). The systems have a capacity of 55 to 82 kWh and are installed in the company's own MEB models as well as MEB cars by Volkswagen and Audi.

Along with the individual battery modules, each containing 16 cells or 24 cells, an MEB battery system also includes a case with an integrated cooling and a battery management system, as well as the necessary electrical connections. There are around 250 employees working at the current production line, in which Škoda Auto has invested around 130 million euros.

The car manufacturer will be commissioning another MEB assembly line in 2023, increasing its total production volume to 2,300 units per day, consisting of 1,500 MEB units per day, and 800 units for PHEV battery systems.

Michael Oeljeklaus, Škoda Auto Board Member for Production and Logistics, said:

'Battery systems are the key component for our successful transformation to e-mobility. The landmark of 500,000 Škoda-made battery systems for MEB and plug-in hybrid vehicles is an outstanding achievement. It testifies both the trust of the Volkswagen Group in our highly-skilled team and our uncompromising commitment to e-mobility. And we are even shifting up another gear soon when we will be opening an additional assembly line and further increase the daily production capacity of battery systems. We are therefore following our clearly defined roadmap in order to strengthen the Czech Republic as an e-mobility hub.'