Question: Why is the plant built and needed right here and which components are actually assembled in the new plant in Lower Bavaria? And where do these parts go then?

Our answer: The BMW Group is building an assembly plant for high-voltage batteries in Irlbach-Strasskirchen. One of the most important prerequisites for choosing a location was the good logistical connection to the other Bavarian plants. We examined 20 potential locations just in Bavaria based on numerous mandatory criteria. In doing so, we worked closely with the “Invest in Bavaria” agency of the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs as well as with the respective districts and municipalities. It was important to us that the area is located in Bavaria and that we do not have to build or clear forests in any nature or water protection areas. The area is well connected to the transport infrastructure. Our vehicle plants must not be too far away. All of this results in: Only the area between Strasskirchen and Irlbach offers all the necessary conditions.

The resulting plant will be a assembly site exclusively for high-voltage batteries from the sixth generation and will supply the Bavarian automotive plants in Munich, Dingolfing and Regensburg from the end of 2026. It therefore makes a significant contribution to the expansion of electromobility and the transformation of the company. The highly efficient high-voltage batteries completed there make an important contribution to the Neue Klasse. More information about the Neue Klasse can be found here. 

Question: Which battery cells will then be assemblied here? Where do they come from?

Our answer: The battery cell is responsible for key characteristics of e-vehicles: range, mileage and charging time. With the new BMW round cell, which is specifically designed for the e-architecture of the Neue Klasse models, it is possible to significantly increase the range of up to 30 percent (according to WLTP) in the widest range model.

Based on the prismatic cells of the fifth generation of BMW battery cells, the nickel content in the sixth generation BMW round cells is increased on the cathode side and the cobalt content is reduced at the same time. On the anode side, the silicon content is increased. As a result, the volumetric energy density in the cell increases by more than 20 percent. Energy storage, drive and charging technology of the Neue Klasse will have a voltage increased to 800 volts. Among other things, this optimizes the supply of energy to DC fast charging stations. With an amperage of up to 500 amps, a significantly increased charging capacity can be achieved there, so that the time required for charging is reduced by up to 30 percent from ten to 80 percent.

The BMW Group places particular focus on keeping the CO₂ footprint and consumption of resources for manufacturing as low as possible right from the supply chain. For series production of battery cells, the contracted cell manufacturers will use cobalt, lithium and nickel, which consists partly of secondary material. Together with the obligation of its cell suppliers to use only green electricity from renewable energy sources for production, the BMW Group will reduce the CO₂ footprint in battery cell production by up to 60 percent compared to the current generation of battery cells.

More Information: www.bmwgroup.com/en/gen6

Question: How is traffic controlled around the construction project and how can trucks be prevented from passing through smaller towns?

Our answer: Until a possible bypass is put into operation, the company will take measures to effectively manage traffic:

• During the construction phase, we have contractually agreed fixed routes with our freight forwarders and construction companies and compliance with these routes is regularly checked. These agreements will also apply to the operation of the site and the transportation of the batteries to the Bavarian automotive plants until a bypass is completed.
  
  
• The inspection is ensured by people who are stationed at different entrances to the town and track the journeys of the trucks.
  
  
• If partners/suppliers do not follow the specified routes, this will be investigated and, if necessary, the companies will be warned.
  
  
• In this way, around 80 percent of truck traffic can be routed via the B8 to junction 22 Plattling West on the A92, thus relieving the burden on the surrounding villages. For around 20 percent of delivery traffic, the BMW Group has no direct contractual relationships with freight forwarders and is therefore unable to impose mandatory routes. The company will nonetheless work to ensure that these freight forwarders also travel the relief routes. The use of e-trucks is also included in the overall concept.

Question: How can I apply for the new plant Irlbach-Strasskirchen? Where does the apprenticeship take place?

Our answer: We are pleased that we are continuously receiving applications for our future location — not only from BMW employees, but also from many people interested in hiring outside the BMW Group. And also, of course, from young people who are interested in an apprenticeship with the BMW Group.

Applications for permanent positions at the new location are now possible. Vacancies are published on our career portal www.bmwgroup.jobs. Here you can find the job finder specifically for Irlbach-Strasskirchen. Applications are only possible via this portal. Requests sent via our email address will not be accepted or forwarded.

We will also offer training places for young career starters. Recruiting for apprenticeship began this year. 50 training places were created for the first time this year for the new assembly site for high-voltage batteries in Irlbach-Strasskirchen. More information about the start of training at BMW Group locations in 2024 can be found here.

The apprenticeship takes place at the plants in Dingolfing and Regensburg, before later working at the future location in Irlbach-Strasskirchen. Further information on the BMW Group apprenticeship program can be found at www.bmwgroup.jobs/apprenticeship.

Question: Where do the 1,600 employees that will be working here come from? We already have enough jobs in Lower Bavaria!

Our answer: The planned production site is the company's clear commitment to Bavaria as an innovation and production location. 1,600 jobs are to be created at the new location in the future, many of which will be filled by existing employees from other locations, some of which will be filled by new employees.

Around 36,000 people are currently employed in Bavaria alone at the Munich, Dingolfing and Regensburg vehicle plants. 7,500 people who live within a radius of 20 km from Irlbach and Strasskirchen work for the BMW Group. The new location secures the future of Bavarian plants by supplying them with the high-voltage batteries required for electromobility. As a result, important jobs in the region will be retained and new jobs will be added in the pioneering field of e-mobility.

As a result of the BMW Group's decision to locate, important jobs will also be retained and new jobs created outside the company. The company currently has business relationships with around 1,000 suppliers and service providers from Lower Bavaria, including around 120 from the Straubing-Bogen district: from suppliers of series components to craft and construction companies to bus companies and bakeries.

The high level of employment in Lower Bavaria is also linked to the BMW Group. We want to secure these jobs - and make Lower Bavaria as an innovative and production location future-proof.

Question: It is good to see that the BMW Group is finally coming to the Straubing area. I also find it remarkable that you are continuing to invest in Bavaria, where completely different options would be available to you.

[...] In your statement on your homepage, you refer to aligning the building structure in accordance with KfW Standard 40 and the construction of PV systems. [...] In order to be able to operate as energy independently as possible, you would need to have the know-how to be able to store this energy. You have this know-how! There is already a battery storage power plant in Leipzig, which uses battery packs from electric cars. This variant would also add an innovation to Gäuboden and further increase public acceptance. [...]

Our answer: Thank you for your suggestions on energy efficiency. This is one of the many topics that we at the BMW Group are thinking intensively about — including, of course, for the planned location for the assembly of high-voltage batteries in Lower Bavaria.

The battery storage farm at the BMW Group plant in Leipzig was opened back in 2017. Around 700 high-voltage batteries from BMW electric vehicles are being used here for a second time. The plant can temporarily store electricity from various renewable sources on the factory premises. In this way, the storage farm optimizes local energy management. Through additional integration into the public power grid, the BMW Speicherfarm in Leipzig is helping to relieve it and contribute electrical energy.

Here you can find a video about the battery storage farm at the BMW Group plant in Leipzig.