BMW Group Breaks Ground for New Battery Assembly Plant in South Carolina, USA.

BMW Group marked a major milestone today with the groundbreaking of a new high-voltage battery assembly plant in Woodruff, South Carolina. This facility will play a pivotal role in supplying sixth-generation batteries to support the production of fully electric vehicles at the nearby BMW Manufacturing plant in Spartanburg.

With this new development, more than 300 jobs will be created at the Plant Woodruff site, with the potential for future growth. The move aligns with BMW Group’s commitment to investing in its US operations, following their announcement in October 2022 of a $1.7 billion investment plan. As part of this plan, $1 billion was dedicated to preparing Plant Spartanburg for the production of fully electric vehicles, while $700 million was allocated for the construction of the new battery assembly plant in Woodruff.

Covering approximately 100 acres, the Woodruff facility will consist of a technology building, as well as additional support buildings such as a cafeteria, fire department, and energy center. The location’s strategic significance lies in its proximity to the forthcoming 30 GWh battery cell factory in Florence, South Carolina, operated by partner AESC.

In line with the BMW Group’s “local for local” approach, the company has entered into an agreement with AESC to procure battery cells for their electric vehicles. The new 30 GWh battery cell factory in Florence will produce innovative round lithium-ion battery cells specifically designed for BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive technology. These cells will boast a more than 20 percent increase in energy density, resulting in enhanced charging speed and an extended range of up to 30 percent.

The BMW Group is committed to minimizing the carbon footprint and resource consumption throughout the production process, beginning with the supply chain. To achieve this, cell manufacturers will incorporate cobalt, lithium, and nickel with a percentage of secondary materials, which refers to raw materials already in circulation rather than newly mined resources.

Furthermore, in a bid to power the production of battery cells with sustainable energy sources, the BMW Group has pledged to use only green power from renewable energies. This commitment will result in a reduction of up to 60 percent in the carbon footprint associated with battery cell production.

“We’re making the BMW Group electric. Our new battery assembly plant in Woodruff will soon play an important role in our electric future here in the USA,” said Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for People and Real Estate. “Through the Woodruff plant, we expand our footprint in the state of South Carolina. At the same time, we are taking our associates with us in this transformation. Our new Technical Training Center at the Spartanburg plant will prepare our 11,000 associates for the future. In this way, we are taking responsibility as a reliable employer and offer future-proof jobs at the same time.”

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