Škoda Auto has opened a new battery systems assembly hall at its main plant in Mladá Boleslav, following an investment of €205 million that makes the company the largest producer of battery electric vehicle (BEV) battery systems within the Volkswagen Group. The facility will support the Group’s electrification plans while strengthening Europe’s battery manufacturing capacity.
The new production hall is the first Volkswagen Group site in Europe to manufacture cell-to-pack battery systems for high-volume electric vehicles. With capacity to produce more than 1,100 battery systems per day and up to 335,000 units annually, the plant will supply batteries for Škoda models as well as vehicles from other Volkswagen Group brands.
Company leaders and Czech government representatives attended the inauguration, highlighting the project’s importance for both the Group’s electrification strategy and the Czech Republic’s role in the automotive sector. Officials said the investment strengthens Škoda’s position as a major component manufacturer within the Brand Group Core while supporting local jobs and skills development.
Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand and Chair of the Škoda Supervisory Board, said the new facility would reinforce the Group’s European battery value chain and provide flexibility in sourcing and technology development. Klaus Zellmer, CEO of Škoda Auto, said the project is part of the company’s plan to reduce emissions across its operations, from sourcing and production to energy use.
The plant features 84 percent automation and 131 industrial robots, with a production cycle of about 60 seconds per battery system. The cell-to-pack design simplifies manufacturing and improves durability while reducing costs compared with earlier battery systems. Škoda has also trained and hired about 600 employees for battery production roles.
Škoda has been producing battery systems at Mladá Boleslav since 2019, building experience in supplying electrified drivetrains for several Group brands. The expanded facility will support future electric vehicle production of up to 200,000 units annually at the site.
The investment also reflects Škoda’s broader plans to expand its electric vehicle lineup and move toward cleaner energy at its plants, including converting its central power station to biomass. Company officials said these steps will help cut emissions while making electric mobility more accessible. Škoda Auto, part of the Volkswagen Group for more than three decades, produces vehicles and components for global markets and employs about 40,000 people worldwide.
