The BMW Group continues to put money into e-component manufacturing at Plant Leipzig and in the way forward for the location. A leasehold contract has now been signed for an space of land outdoors the plant premises, on the northern industrial property – which can be house to the present facility.
The brand new plot to be used by BMW consists of 12 hectares in complete, eight of which will likely be constructed on within the first stage of development. This can produce a logistics corridor for the present fifth-generation high-voltage batteries and an workplace constructing, each of that are on account of attain completion in mid-2024.
Plant Director Petra Peterhänsel sees the transition to electromobility as an necessary constructing block within the plant’s growth: “Leipzig continues to energy forward. Making the BMW i3, we have been the BMW Group’s pioneer in electromobility. Now, with the event of e-component manufacturing and the upcoming launch of the MINI Countryman, the longer term is already taking form.”
Within the first stage of development, a warehouse, a two-story workplace constructing and a loading tunnel with a mixed gross space of 38,000 m2 will likely be erected. There are additionally plans for a second development stage, which can take the whole funding to as a lot as 100 million euros. When all the development work is full, the brand new buildings on the Provide Centre North will present workplaces for approx. 500 staff.
By 2026 the BMW Group goals for a minimum of one in three new vehicles offered to be totally electrical, so the necessity for high-voltage batteries will enhance. Plant Leipzig is already a cornerstone in supplying e-components for the manufacturing community and gives one in three battery modules for the BMW Group’s totally electrical automobiles. These embody the BMW iX1, the BMW i5 and the BMW iX. With the brand new corridor as a logistics heart for high-voltage batteries, Plant Leipzig is embracing this position even additional, with a constructing that meets all of the structural necessities for dealing with high-voltage parts.
Planning the logistics corridor, the group utilized stringent environmental requirements that go above and past authorized necessities. The buildings will likely be powered not by fossil fuels, for instance. Photovoltaic programs on the roof of the corridor will generate approx. 3,000 kW in peak operations. As well as the corridor will likely be heated by a warmth pump. The workplace constructing can have a inexperienced roof, and bushes at strategic factors alongside the façade will hold indoor temperatures cool when the climate outdoors is sizzling.
The surface area will likely be landscaped with over 5,700 new shrubs and bushes. This can proceed the Metropolis of Leipzig and the BMW Group’s efforts so as to add to the inexperienced ring across the plant on the Northern Industrial Property. Outside areas will likely be illuminated by insect-friendly lights, and parking areas will likely be geared up with electrical charging factors for vehicles and vehicles in order that electrical heavy items automobiles can function between the plant and warehouse.
One of many drivers behind the intensive additions which can be at the moment being made to Plant Leipzig – each on the premises and off – is e-component manufacturing. Measures will safeguard current jobs and enhance the variety of new ones. For the time being greater than 800 staff work in e-component manufacturing in Leipzig, rising to over 1,000 by 2024. Additional jobs will likely be created with service suppliers.
From subsequent 12 months BMW Plant Leipzig will run all three phases of the high-voltage battery manufacturing course of: cell coating, module manufacturing and high-voltage battery meeting. E-component manufacturing capability has been steadily growing since 2021, and at current battery cells are coated and assembled into modules there. One in three battery modules for totally electrical automobiles by the BMW Group already comes from Leipzig immediately, and a battery meeting system is at the moment below development, anticipated to go on stream early subsequent 12 months. The BMW Group is investing as much as 1 billion euros in extending e-component manufacturing at Leipzig.
With BMW i3 manufacturing now phased out, 2024 will see Plant Leipzig launch its subsequent totally electrical mannequin: the brand new MINI Countryman. The crossover will include a selection of combustion engines or a totally electrical drive, the high-voltage batteries for the latter being made instantly in Plant Leipzig’s workshops.
Aug 28, 2023