Stellantis, Mercedes, and TotalEnergies’ joint venture, Automotive Cells Company (ACC), has announced that it plans to start operating a new gigafactory in Italy in 2026. The factory will be built in the southern city of Termoli by converting an existing Stellantis powertrain factory and will involve an overall investment of over 2 billion euros, including public funds.
The project is part of Stellantis’ plan to establish three gigafactories in Europe, with the other two located in France and Germany, all with a capacity of 40 gigawatt hours each by 2030. ACC has stated that the Italian gigafactory will employ at least 1,800 workers at full capacity in 2030, and it is set to begin operations at the start of 2026.
Stellantis’ move to convert an existing powertrain factory into a battery factory is part of the company’s wider strategy to accelerate its shift to electric vehicles, as demand for zero-emission vehicles continues to increase. The Italian project is expected to play a key role in the company’s supply chain, with the ACC planning to produce batteries that are more environmentally friendly, cheaper, and have a longer lifespan.
The joint venture between Stellantis, Mercedes, and TotalEnergies is investing heavily in battery technology to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles. The ACC is also developing new technologies to produce batteries using more sustainable materials and reducing the carbon footprint of battery production.
With the ACC’s Italian gigafactory expected to start operations in 2026, the company is on track to meet its ambitious targets of producing 260 GWh of batteries per year by 2030. This will make Stellantis one of the largest producers of batteries for electric vehicles in Europe.
As the global auto industry continues to shift towards electric vehicles, the establishment of new gigafactories will be crucial in meeting the rising demand for zero-emission vehicles. Stellantis’ plan to develop three gigafactories in Europe is a significant step towards achieving this goal and ensuring the company’s future success in the rapidly evolving automotive industry.