Chinese EV Battery Maker Switches on Gigafactory in France
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French President Emmanuel Macron (right) and Zhang Lei (left), Chairman of Envision Group, pose for a photo at the inauguration ceremony for AESC’s power battery factory in Douai, France, on June 3, 2025. Photo: VCG
AESC, the battery subsidiary of Shanghai-based green tech company Envision Group, has started production at its plant in Douai, France, an important milestone in the company’s European expansion.
The facility, inaugurated on June 3, has an initial annual production capacity of 10 gigawatt-hour (GWh) — sufficient to power 200,000 electric vehicles (EVs). It has already started supplying batteries to Renault, a key client. The first phase has created 650 jobs, with expectations to increase that number to 1,000 as the plant scales up to full production, according to the company.
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- AESC's Douai battery plant in France, inaugurated on June 3, has an initial annual production capacity of 10 GWh, sufficient for 200,000 EVs.
- The facility, a partnership with Renault, currently supplies batteries to the carmaker and has created 650 jobs.
- The project received significant financial backing, including a 450 million euro loan from the European Investment Bank in 2023.
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Who’s Who
- AESC
- AESC, a battery subsidiary of Shanghai-based Envision Group, has started production at its factory in Douai, France, with an initial annual capacity of 10 GWh. This facility, built in partnership with Renault, has created 650 jobs and will supply batteries to Renault. AESC, acquired from Nissan in 2019, plans further expansion in Europe, including a second UK plant.
- Envision Group
- Envision Group is a Shanghai-based green tech company. Its battery subsidiary, AESC, recently opened a plant in Douai, France, with an annual production capacity of 10 GWh. Envision acquired AESC from Nissan in 2019. The company is actively expanding its clean energy initiatives in Europe, including plans for another battery plant in Britain and investments in renewable hydrogen in Spain.
- Renault
- Renault, a French carmaker, is a key client of AESC's new battery plant in Douai, France. This facility will supply batteries for Renault's electric vehicles, including the anticipated Renault R5. The factory's location near Renault's existing production sites offers significant logistical advantages, enhancing Renault Group’s competitive edge and supply chain efficiency. Renault aims to increase its annual battery production capacity to 24-30 GWh by 2030.
- Verkor
- Verkor is a French battery startup. Renault formed an alliance with Verkor to design and produce EVs in France. Renault intends to increase its annual production capacity to between 24 and 30 GWh by 2030, which will support future electric models like the anticipated Renault R5.
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What Happened When
- 2019：
- Envision Group acquired AESC from Nissan, with Nissan retaining 20% of the Yokohama-based company.
- June 2021：
- Renault unveiled plans to design and produce EVs in France, forming alliances with AESC and Verkor.
- 2023：
- The European Investment Bank (EIB) provided 450 million euros in loans to the Douai gigafactory project.
- 2024：
- Envision Energy Co. Ltd., Envision Group’s wind turbine unit, announced it would invest $1 billion with partners in Spain for renewable hydrogen development.
- January 2025：
- The European Commission approved a 48-million-euro direct grant from France to support Douai factory construction.
- May 2025：
- AESC secured £1 billion ($1.34 billion) in funding in Britain to build its second battery plant there.
- June 3, 2025：
- AESC’s Douai plant in France was inaugurated and started production.
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