BMW Group has announced its plan to infuse approximately 100 million euros into its Wackersdorf facility in Upper Palatinate by 2026. This investment is directed toward establishing a new battery testing center to be assimilated into the current site infrastructure. The initial offerings from this testing center, specifically for high-voltage batteries, are expected to be operational by mid-2024.
Why It Matters
The Wackersdorf location will be crucial in BMW’s ongoing shift to electromobility. Christoph Peters, the Site Manager, emphasized the transformative potential of the new battery testing center for the BMW site in Wackersdorf. This move will add a fourth key operational domain to the facility, fortifying its enduring relevance. The Wackersdorf location caters to cockpit production, door production for Rolls-Royce models (starting 2024), and supplies to overseas units.
Key Points
- Investment Focus: Primarily on intricate test bench technology and enhancements to the current infrastructure.
- Hall 80 Revamp: This building, historically significant since the 1980s, is being refurbished to house the new testing center.
- Advanced Testing: Starting mid-2024, “battery testers” will be deployed, externally appearing as large refrigerators but internally leveraging high-end technology. The main aim is to gauge the electrical efficacy of battery cells under varied conditions.
- Multiple Battery Testing: Several hundred battery cells will be tested simultaneously. Upon full operational capacity, this number will surge to several thousands.
- Final Testing Phase (2025 onwards): The center will validate BMW’s battery-electric vehicles pre-series production launch. This includes exhaustive tests like vibration, shock tests using “shakers”, and simulating intricate driving patterns.
Bottom Line
BMW’s bold investment in its Wackersdorf location underscores its commitment to e-mobility, setting the stage for rigorous battery testing and ensuring top-tier quality in its electric vehicles. With limited external testing capacities available, the establishment of its own testing center in Wackersdorf not only showcases BMW’s foresight but also positions the company at the vanguard of the e-mobility transformation.
