The energy transition is a priority for France, which has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. In this context, the development of electric mobility is a major challenge. Electric vehicles require batteries, which are currently mostly manufactured in Asia.
The French Battery Industry
France has a long history in the battery industry, dating back to the late 19th century. At the beginning of the 21st century, battery production in France was in decline, but it has seen renewed interest in recent years with the rise of electric mobility.
In 2023, France has five battery factories in production or under construction, with a total capacity of 120 gigawatt-hours (GWh). These factories produce battery cells, which are then assembled into battery packs for electric vehicles.
Battery Production Players in France
The main players in battery production in France are:
ACC (Automotive Cells Company): a joint venture of Stellantis, TotalEnergies, and Mercedes-Benz, which opened its Douvrin plant in May 2023.
AESC / Envision: a joint venture of Chinese Envision and Japanese AESC, planning to open its Douai plant in 2025.
Verkor: a French start-up, planning to open its Dunkirk plant in 2025.
ProLogium: a Taiwanese group, planning to open its Dunkirk plant in 2026.
And CoOptek in all this?
Alongside these major players, there are also small SMEs positioning themselves in the battery pack assembly market. This is the case of Cooptek, a company located near Montpellier, in Occitanie.
Cooptek has recognized expertise in assembling lithium battery packs. The company can assemble lithium-ion battery packs (18650; 21700) for a wide range of applications, including electric vehicles (e-bikes), energy storage systems, and lighting.
Cooptek’s strengths are:
- Over 15 years of expertise in battery assembly
- Know-how in industrialization and quality control
- Ability to adapt to specific needs and volumes
- Collaboration with major brands (LG, SAMSUNG …)
France is trying to position itself as a major player in battery production. The large factories under construction or development should allow France to meet the growing demand for batteries for electric vehicles.