Is the new battery plant in Germany a good idea?

In Heide, Germany, a Northvolt battery plant for electric vehicles is under construction and scheduled to open in 2026, despite uncertainty following the bankruptcy of its Swedish counterpart. The region’s renewable energy investments, including wind power and green hydrogen, are part of a broader infrastructure strategy that predates Northvolt’s involvement. Concerns about European battery production falling behind China have led to calls for EU action, as plans for battery factories across Germany and Europe face challenges. Locals remain hopeful about the factory’s potential to create 3,000 jobs, although skepticism persists regarding its completion. Northvolt in Sweden is seeking a new investor to continue operations.

This video summary was created by AI from the original DW script. It was edited by a journalist before publication.