Škoda Auto, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, has reached a significant milestone by manufacturing 500,000 battery systems at its main plant in Mladá Boleslav.
The batteries are part of the company’s push to expand its electric vehicle (EV) offerings and are fitted in MEB (Modular Electrification Toolkit) vehicles and models with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain across VW Group brands.
The company has been investing heavily in transforming its facilities, digitalization, and upskilling its workforce to prepare for the demands of emobility. Over 23,000 employees have been trained to date, securing their roles for the future and yet further proving the widescale human benefit of decarbonisation.
Since September 2019, high-voltage traction batteries for PHEV models have been produced at the company’s headquarters. The systems are used by Škoda cars, as well as group brands Audi, SEAT, and Volkswagen.
In May 2022, Škoda Auto launched the production of battery systems for all-electric vehicles based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB. The company has invested around €130 million in the production line, which employs around 250 people.
Škoda Auto plans to commission another MEB assembly line in 2023, which will increase 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.
With these efforts, Škoda Auto and the VW group on the whole, is staying true to its pledge for a greener future. The success of such ventures forms the fundamental building blocks for a decarbonised society, as we see thousands of employees shift their perspectives towards emobility.
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.”