Škoda Auto Achieves Production Milestone with One Million Electric Vehicle Batteries
Škoda Auto has successfully produced its one-millionth battery system at its main facility in Mladá Boleslav, marking a significant milestone in the automotive industry. Since the launch of battery production for the Superb iV with a plug-in hybrid powertrain in 2019, Škoda has transitioned to exclusively manufacturing larger batteries for fully electric vehicles. These batteries support vehicles on the MEB platform and are utilised across multiple Volkswagen Group brands, including Volkswagen, SEAT/CUPRA, Audi, and Škoda models such as the Enyaq and Elroq.
Andreas Dick, a Škoda Auto Board Member overseeing Production and Logistics, expressed his pride in this achievement: “Producing one million battery systems for the Volkswagen Group is a testament to our team's dedication and the effective collaboration among various brands. This milestone underscores our commitment to sustainable mobility and our role in the industry's shift towards a greener future. We are already preparing for the next phase by constructing an additional battery system facility in Mladá Boleslav.”
Since September 2019, Škoda Auto has focused on developing high-voltage battery systems, initially for its plug-in hybrid Superb iV model. By May 2022, the production expanded to include battery systems for all-electric vehicles on the MEB platform, enhancing the capabilities of models like the Škoda Enyaq and the new SUV Elroq, as well as supporting Volkswagen, Audi, and SEAT/CUPRA vehicles.
In 2023, Škoda Auto augmented its Mladá Boleslav plant with a second assembly line, doubling daily output to 1,500 battery systems. The company is heavily investing in transforming its operations, which includes digitising processes and advancing employee training to better align with electromobility demands. To date, over 28,000 employees have been upskilled.
The Mladá Boleslav facility operates with about 90 employees per shift in a 10,500 m² area, supported by 82 fully automated robots that manage particularly heavy components. Every 60 seconds, a battery weighing approximately 490 kilograms (82 kWh) is produced for MEB-based models.
The modular design of the lithium-ion batteries produced at the facility allows for the manufacture of various high-voltage batteries ranging from 55 to 91 kWh (net capacity: 52 to 86 kWh). These batteries comprise 8 to 13 modules, each containing 16 to 26 cells.
In June, Škoda Auto recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance the quality control processes of assembled batteries. This new system employs computed tomography (CT) technology to reveal intricate internal details as small as 4 microns to ensure each battery meets stringent quality standards before deployment. This technology enables detailed examinations of new batteries and allows for the inspection of cells post-operation, guaranteeing top performance and safety standards.
