Daimler Truck recently opened the Battery Technology Center (BTC) at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Mannheim, a year after the topping-out ceremony. This center, spanning over 10,000 square meters, serves as the hub for product and process development for battery electric commercial vehicles. The BTC integrates development and production, where experts focus on enhancing knowledge about batteries and their production processes.
The facility includes two production areas aimed at advancing process knowledge. Firstly, the center will produce cells on a pilot basis to build up expertise. Secondly, it will manufacture battery packs as prototypes for testing benches and vehicles. The creation of a pilot line for battery packs indicates the Mannheim site’s readiness for future series production, scheduled for the second half of the decade as part of the introduction of the next generation of lithium-ion batteries.
The Battery Technology Center is housed in an existing building, known as Building 18, dating back to 1952. Covering 7,500 square meters, the building underwent extensive renovation and expansion with a 3,000 square meter annex. More than 60 new machines and systems have been installed in the BTC to support the prototypical production of battery cells and systems. These machines facilitate coating technologies, welding processes, assembly, and adhesive processes.
The BTC is divided into two main areas: the cell area and the pilot line for battery pack production. In the cell area, experts focus on gaining product and process knowledge related to battery cell manufacturing. The equipment allows for in-depth exploration of cell chemistry, including experimenting with different production techniques for battery paste, also known as “slurry.” This paste is crucial for creating prototype battery cells, the fundamental building blocks of batteries. Strict quality control measures are in place, with cells passing through clean and dry room areas to protect sensitive materials from contaminants during production. The cell area is instrumental in developing expertise in the manufacturing process and unit scaling for various types of battery cells.
On the pilot line for battery pack production, the focus shifts to assembling battery modules from cells, which are then used to create battery packs. The goal is for the insights gained from this line to inform future series production at the Mannheim site in the coming years. The facility’s emphasis on research, development, and innovation underscores Daimler Truck’s commitment to advancing battery technology for electric commercial vehicles.