Founded in 2011 in Ningde, Fujian province, China, CATL has grown rapidly, becoming a dominant player in the global battery market, particularly in EV battery manufacturing. The company supplies batteries to many top automakers, including Tesla, BMW, and Volkswagen.
In 2018, CATL signed a multi-billion-euro deal with BMW to supply lithium-ion batteries for the automaker’s electric vehicles, solidifying its presence in Europe. As part of this collaboration, CATL announced the construction of its first European battery factory in Erfurt, Germany. This factory, which is expected to begin operations soon, will have an initial production capacity of 14 GWh per year and will supply batteries to European automakers, including BMW and Volkswagen.
This strategic move allows CATL to strengthen its ties with European automakers and support the region’s transition to electric mobility. Additionally, the local production in Germany helps reduce supply chain complexities and provides European car manufacturers with more direct access to high-quality battery components.
This partnership has not only reinforced CATL’s position in the European market but has also helped BMW meet its sustainability goals by securing a stable supply of batteries for its growing electric vehicle lineup.