Daimler is investing billions of euros in the expansion of the Mercedes-Benz global battery production network, ensuring supply until 2030.

“Our electric offensive continues to gain momentum,” said Daimler AG management board chairman and Mercedes-Benz Cars head Dr Dieter Zetsche. “After investing billions of euros in the development of the electric fleet and the expansion of our global battery network, we are now taking the next step: With the purchase of battery cells for more than 20 billion euros, we are systematically pushing forward with the transformation into the electric future of our company. We plan a total of 130 electrified variants at Mercedes-Benz Cars by 2022. In addition, we will have electric vans, buses and trucks.”

In addition to securing battery cell supply, Mercedes-Benz Cars has plans for eight factories on three continents. The first factory in Kamenz is already in series production and the second factory there will begin production at the beginning of 2019. Two more factories will be built in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim, one at the company‘s Sindelfingen site. There will also be one each at sites in Beijing (China), Bangkok (Thailand) and Tuscaloosa (USA).

Daimler has been gaining experience with electric trucks since 2010 and has had its first all-electric truck on the market last year: the Fuso eCanter light-duty truck. The all-electric eActros for heavy-duty distribution transport has been tested on Germany‘s roads since June 2018. In September, Mercedes-Benz Trucks handed over the first of a total of 10 eActros trucks of the so-called innovation fleet to a customer for use in everyday operations.

Series production in the bus segment began in autumn this year and the first Mercedes-Benz eCitaro was recently delivered to Hamburg‘s public transport operator – Hamburger Hochbahn AG. Mercedes-Benz Vans is electrifying its entire commercial fleet. The all-electric mid-size van eVito, has been available since November 2018. The eSprinter will follow in the second half of 2019. Hermes Germany will receive 1500 Mercedes-Benz electric transporters and the corresponding efficient charging infrastructure. Amazon Logistics takes over 100 eVito vans in Bochum and Dusseldorf.