Automotive Cells Company (ACC) is a European-based joint venture established to support the global transition to sustainable transportation by advancing battery technologies for electric vehicles (EVs). Formed in 2020, ACC unites three major stakeholders—Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, and TotalEnergies (via its affiliate Saft). The company’s mission centers on designing and manufacturing high-quality batteries that meet the needs of automakers and their customers while maintaining environmental responsibility. The ACC’s focus on innovation, sustainability, and efficiency allows it to expand to both high-performance electric cars and mainstream EVs, thus contributing to a cleaner energy future. With significant funding and facilities designed for large-scale production and R&D, ACC is poised to expand its influence across Europe while addressing critical challenges in the battery sector.
Battery Technology
ACC specializes in creating advanced battery cells and modules, primarily for electric vehicles. The company has focused on lithium-ion technology while exploring updates to chemistries that enable increases in performance and reductions in production cost. Lithium nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) cells with high energy density are central to their product offerings, supporting long driving ranges and efficient power delivery.
More recently, ACC has been evaluating a shift toward lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry for certain applications. LFP batteries, while having lower energy density than NCM types, offer advantages in terms of cost efficiency, resource availability, and long-term durability. This diversification reflects the company’s strategy to balance high-performance requirements with affordability, aiming to meet the varied demands of automakers and EV buyers.
In addition to performance, ACC emphasizes sustainability in its production processes. This includes sourcing critical battery materials like lithium and cobalt responsibly, ensuring traceability throughout the supply chain, and integrating recycling practices into the battery lifecycle to reduce the environmental impact. The company also invests in research facilities to pioneer innovations in eco-designed batteries that can be easily repaired, reused, and recycled—a necessary step as battery volumes increase.
ACC’s facilities, such as the R&D Expertise Center in Bruges, France, and a Pilot Line in Nersac, provide the infrastructure for prototyping and refining batteries before they are mass-produced. These batteries are then sent to automakers, who assemble them into battery packs for EVs. ACC has set ambitious goals to produce annual battery capacity equivalent to powering over two million vehicles by the end of the decade, with targets for a cumulative production capacity of 120 GWh across its facilities.
Recent Projects
In late 2023, ACC began operations at its first large-scale production facility, known as the Billy-Berclau Douvrin gigafactory in France. This site initially offers a production capacity of 13 GWh, capable of scaling to 40 GWh by 2030. To further enhance its presence in battery manufacturing, ACC raised €4.4 billion in debt funding, designated for the construction of additional production facilities across Europe.
ACC is also transitioning strategically to integrate LFP battery manufacturing into its portfolio. Market conditions, including EV affordability pressures and competition from non-European manufacturers, have influenced this plan. While construction for two planned factories in Germany (Kaiserslautern) and Italy (Termoli) has been paused to refine its strategies, the company expects to finalize decisions on these projects by late 2024 or early 2025.
Investors
The founding shareholders of ACC include Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, and TotalEnergies (through Saft). By early 2024, Stellantis is set to hold a 45% ownership stake, followed by Mercedes-Benz with 30%, and TotalEnergies retaining 25%. These stakeholders bring expertise in automotive engineering, manufacturing, and energy management, reinforcing ACC’s capabilities across the EV ecosystem.
In addition to shareholder contributions, ACC has secured external funding, including €4.4 billion in debt financing, which ranks among the most significant financial undertakings in the European battery industry. Banks such as BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, ING, and Intesa Sanpaolo have contributed to this financing initiative. Institutional support from agencies like Bpifrance, Euler Hermes, and SACE further emphasizes the importance of ACC’s work in advancing Europe’s energy transition.
Locations
ACC operates facilities across France and plans to expand further in Europe once project timelines are finalized. The primary locations include:
- R&D Expertise Center: Bruges, France
- Pilot Line: Nersac, France
- Gigafactory: Billy-Berclau Douvrin, France
Headquarters: Bruges, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
Website: https://www.acc-emotion.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/acc-automotive-cells-company
