CATL has officially launched test production of battery cells at its facility in Debrecen, Hungary. The company has commissioned the first two production lines to optimize manufacturing processes and validate equipment. This phase follows the fulfillment of all regulatory requirements, despite previous project delays.
The Debrecen site, announced in August 2022, represents an investment of €7.34 billion. It is designed to reach a production capacity of 100 GWh per year, serving as the company's largest plant outside of China. The facility is intended to supply major European automakers, including Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
The project previously faced setbacks due to environmental concerns, including issues with wastewater discharge and nickel exposure levels. Additionally, the local political landscape has shifted, with the new government under Prime Minister Péter Magyar introducing stricter oversight for the battery sector.
While the plant has begun testing, the timeline for full-scale mass production remains unspecified. CATL previously struggled to meet supply demands for Mercedes-Benz, forcing the automaker to temporarily source cells from China to maintain production of its GLC and VLE electric models.
