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Volkswagen sees battery cell supply secured for first wave of EVs

Volkswagen brand does not expect to have problems with supplies of battery cells for its new wave of full-electric cars. Other automakers, including Audi and Hyundai, have suffered bottlenecks in battery supplies.

By 2021, VW Group plans to build 330,000 electric vehicles a year for its VW, Audi and Seat brands at its plant in Zwickau, Germany.

The first is the VW ID3, which starts series production later this year after its debut at the Frankfurt auto show in September. The ID3, the first of a new family of purpose-built VW brand EVs, will be delivered to the first customers in mid-2020.

"I can confirm that for the first years of our plan, a sufficient supply of cells has been contractually secured," said Thomas Ulbrich, VW brand management board member in charge of electric mobility, adding this was the case until 2023.  

Ulbrich refuted speculation in the German press that VW's current battery cell suppliers may cancel contracts after VW's decision to invest 1 billion euros in a battery cell plant in Salzgitter, Germany, with Swedish partner Northvolt.

Photos: Ohara Davies vs Chaquib Fadli