July 08, 2024 – Mercedes-Benz is significantly strengthening its development activities in battery technology. In a ceremony attended by the German Federal Minister of Economic Affairs Robert Habeck, Baden-Württemberg's Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann and other high-ranking guests, Mercedes-Benz opened the eCampus at the heart of its headquarters in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim.
It is the competence centre for the development of cells and batteries for the future electric vehicles of the brand with the star. The aim is to develop innovative chemical compositions and optimised production processes for high-performance cells with "Mercedes-Benz DNA" and reduce battery costs by more than 30 percent in the coming years. The Mercedes-Benz eCampus covers the entire field of battery and cell technology. It ranges from the development and evaluation of new cell chemistries and industrial-scale cell production to the testing and certification of complete battery units.
The opening of the Mercedes-Benz eCampus marks an important step in our sustainable business strategy. It is our ambition to also play a leading technological role in electric mobility. The eCampus brings us closer to this goal. The work carried out here will help to reduce battery costs by more than 30 percent in the coming years. By locating the eCampus at the heart of our centre for research and development of drive systems, it signifies a clear commitment to a more sustainable future and to the long heritage of our Stuttgart-Untertürkheim location.
Ola Källenius
Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG
Concentrated expertise in battery technologies with “Mercedes-Benz DNA”
Mercedes-Benz is developing various forms of cell chemistry. Among other things, the company is working on lithium-ion cells with high-energy anodes based on silicon composites and innovative cobalt-free cathode chemistries, as well as on solid-state battery technology. The aim is to develop the best possible cells with
“Mercedes-Benz DNA” for high energy density, fast-charging capability and performance and to build up expertise for their industrialisation. Specifically, the energy density can be increased to up to 900 Wh/l through the use of new technologies such as high-silicon anodes or solid electrolytes. The only way to scale up production effectively is through comprehensive knowledge of cell chemistry and design. The knowledge gained flows into series production of battery cells at partner companies – for use in future generations of Mercedes-Benz batteries. The importance of mastering cell chemistry for the development of future products has been demonstrated by the VISION EQXX technology programme, for example. Thanks to a powerful battery with pioneering cell chemistry, this vehicle has set distance and efficiency records for electric vehicles on several journeys.
Operations at the new competence centre for battery technologies in the heart of the Stuttgart-Untertürkheim plant will start in two stages. The approximately 10,000-square-metre factory for the industrial production of battery cells has started operations after a construction period of around two years. State-of-the-art production facilities in the “Industrial Cell Lab” make it possible to manufacture and test battery cells with different chemistries on an industrial scale. Several tens of thousands of cells can be produced here every year for the development of future battery generations. The production process consists of a series of automated and manual steps. It covers all battery cell manufacturing steps from electrode production to cell assembly including electrolyte filling, forming with the first charging and discharging processes and finishing.
The cell production process has a major influence on the quality of the battery. Mercedes-Benz has therefore the ambition to not only master the chemical composition of the cells, but also the industrial manufacturing process. The new Industrial Cell Lab enables the company to gain expertise in the economical production of cells with “Mercedes-Benz DNA”. It thus complements the two existing cell laboratories: Novel cell chemistries and advanced cell designs are developed and evaluated in the “Chemistry Lab”. In the "Flexible Cell Lab", the new developments are produced and tested in automotive pouch cells.
The new building for the second stage is due to be completed by the end of this year. Among other things, this state-of-the-art test and proving centre will house a battery ramp-up factory for product and process development as well as maturity assurance for large-scale industrial production. Various functions of the test centre at the Nabern site will be transferred to the eCampus in Untertürkheim for this purpose. State-of-the-art test benches are being built on an area of around 20,000 square metres to comprehensively test and prove the safety and service life of batteries.
With the new eCampus, Mercedes-Benz is consolidating the role of the largest powertrain facility within its global network, which is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year. Investments in the three-digit million-euro range will strengthen Untertürkheim’s role as a high-tech facility for drive technologies – a clear commitment to the workforce and to Baden-Württemberg as a centre of automotive competence.
Founded in 1904, the Mercedes-Benz Stuttgart-Untertürkheim plant spans several sub-sites in the Neckar valley and set the course for e-mobility some time ago. The plant already produces flexible drive systems for both fully electric and electrified vehicles.
The opening of the eCampus marks an important step in Mercedes-Benz's sustainable business strategy. By 2039, the company aims for its fleet of new vehicles to be net carbon neutral over their entire lifecycle. In addition to decarbonisation, one of the most important levers for this is the establishment of a truly circular economy in order to conserve primary resources. Mercedes-Benz is pursuing a holistic approach to batteries, focussing on three core issues: circular design, value retention and closing the loop.
The eCampus activities form the starting point of Mercedes-Benz's circular concept. With the “Design for Circularity” approach, the company considers the entire value chain of battery technology from the very beginning. From development of new cell chemistries to the testing of battery cells and production in small quantities for the development, the company designs battery cells with “Mercedes-Benz DNA”. The findings flow into the series production of battery cells at partner companies.
The building concept for the new eCampus in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim, which covers more than 30,000 square metres, also meets Mercedes-Benz's sustainability criteria. Its foundations contain recycled concrete made from demolition materials. More than 75 percent of the usable roof area on the state-of-the-art test and proving centre are equipped with photovoltaic systems and supply the facilities with renewable energy. The entire roof area is also being greened. Reversible heat pumps and cold accumulators enable a sustainable heat supply and air conditioning for the hall. Hybrid cooling towers increase the efficiency of the water supply.
Mercedes-Benz’s own production sites have been net carbon neutral¹ since 2022. By 2030, the plan is to cover more than 70 percent of production energy requirements with renewable energy. This will be achieved through the expansion of solar and wind energy at the sites and the conclusion of further corresponding power purchase agreements. The goal for all Mercedes-Benz production plants worldwide is to operate with 100-percent renewable energy by 2039.
¹All production plants operated by the Mercedes-Benz Group have been net-carbon neutral in terms of Scope 1 and Scope 2 since 2022. This means that since 2022, all CO2 emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2) from these plants that have so far been unavoidable have been compensated by carbon offsets from qualified climate protection projects.
Statements from the opening of the Mercedes-Benz eCampus
"High-performance batteries comprise the heart of the electrification of transport – and are the key to the successful transformation of the automotive industry. The demand for innovative and sustainable batteries will continue to rise sharply in Europe in the coming years. It is therefore of central importance that Germany and Europe build up their own capacities and, in particular, their own expertise in this key technology. This not only strengthens the industrial location and creates modern, future-proof jobs, but also increases Europe's resilience. I am delighted that, with the new eCampus, Mercedes-Benz will be focusing its research and development activities for batteries at the Untertürkheim site in future. Thereby making an important contribution to the further development of battery technology and the establishment of a strong battery ecosystem in Germany."
“At the new eCampus, we can pool and expand our comprehensive research and development expertise across the entire electric drive system even more effectively. This offers us new opportunities for sustainable innovations in cell chemistry. In Untertürkheim, we cover the entire development process, from cell chemistry to certification. High-voltage batteries are at the heart of electric mobility and their cells are the key to efficiency, energy density and resource conservation. Our aim is to develop the perfect cell design with ‘Mercedes-Benz DNA’ here in Untertürkheim and to incorporate it into our suppliers’ future battery cell generations.”
“From now on, the heart of the electric car – the battery cell – will also be manufactured in this impressive location at the centre of the heritage Mercedes plant in Untertürkheim. Highly specialised battery storage technology is a promising business model for our country. Those who master it will secure prosperity and jobs – and become less dependent on imports. The state government of Baden-Württemberg has also done a lot to achieve this. As just part of our strategic dialogue on the automotive industry, we have invested 400 million euros in future projects. Altogether, we have invested around one billion euros in the structural transformation of the automotive industry over the past 15 years. The new eCampus is yet another beacon for high-tech battery technology that’s ‘Made in Baden-Württemberg’.”
"The transformation towards electromobility is changing job roles and duties. That is especially true for workers at our heritage production site for drive systems in Untertürkheim. To successfully shape this change, it will require flexibility first and foremost. Both from us as a company and from our employees. We are supporting our teams through this transformation by offering a wide range of development opportunities with a variety of training programmes and customised coursework. I would like to thank all our colleagues for their willingness to embrace change – and for their great motivation for working together towards a successful future."
“Stuttgart-Untertürkheim has been the centre of highly efficient Mercedes-Benz drive technologies for 120 years. The new eCampus and the new electric products for our plant ensure that this will continue to be the case in the future. Concentrating all aspects of battery technology and production in one place is also an important step in the transformation of the company and the site. With an innovative building concept and the extensive use of renewable energies, we are also consistently realising our sustainability aspirations in Untertürkheim.”
Thomas Schulz, Chairman Mercedes-Benz Drive Systems, Head of Production Powertrain Mercedes-Benz Cars
“The Untertürkheim drive systems play a key role in the implementation of Mercedes-Benz's sustainable business strategy. In addition to the development and production of highly efficient drive units, we now also cover the entire field of battery technology here. From cell development to battery production. We can be really proud of this. Together with our dedicated and highly flexible teams in Untertürkheim, we are continuing to write the 120-year success story of our main plant.”
“In order to offer our colleagues in Untertürkheim long-term security and prospects, we must bring the entire spectrum of electric mobility to our site. This is the commitment of the Works Council. The opening of the new eCampus is an important milestone on this path. It gives Untertürkheim a key role in the transformation of our company.”
