Verkor will build its Gigafactory battery plant in Dunkirk

It is in Dunkirk that Verkor’s batteries for electric vehicles, including those for Renault, will have their Gigafactory, with production starting in 2025.

Electric vehicle batteries are still largely manufactured outside of Europe, particularly in Asia. “Controlling the battery value chain is fundamental in the transition to electric mobility,” declares Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister Delegate for Industry.

Investments are, however, heading toward a transition to European production. And even in France, as exemplified by Verkor.

A Place Not Surprising

We knew that France would host the very first battery factory. Verkor had considered 40 different sites, including abroad “in Spain and Italy”, but none made sense. On February 1, 2022, the French company announced the location of the future site. Named a Gigafactory, like all similar sites (Tesla popularized the term), it will be located at the port of Dunkirk (North).

The location was not chosen by chance, as it is close to Renault’s ElectriCity hub in Douai. Partner of Verkor, the auto group assembles its Mégane E-Tech electric there, and production of the Kangoo E-Tech electric in Maubeuge is not far either. The factory should create “1,200 direct jobs and more than 3,000 indirect jobs”.

Verkor also estimates that its batteries have “a carbon footprint 4 to 5 times lower than those produced in China”. It remains to be seen whether the raw materials for these batteries will be French, like lithium.

First Verkor Batteries in 2025

Verkor will lay the first stone of the factory in 2023. Construction will last 2 years, with batteries ready by 2025. In terms of capacity, the French Gigafactory will be able to supply 16 GWh annually, equivalent to 320,000 cars per year (assuming 50 kWh per battery). 10 GWh will go directly into upcoming Renault models, including possibly the Renault 5 electric set to debut in 2024.

The factory will then expand to produce up to 50 GWh of batteries annually. This would be enough to power 1 million vehicles. Within this capacity, Renault has negotiated 20 GWh for its own cars.

Also read: Renault, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Alliance launches its electric offensive for 2030