Volvo plans Tesla-style “big casting” for its biggest factory, as it transitions to electric vehicles
Volvo is renovating its largest factory to make next-generation electric cars more efficient.
Volvo says its approximately $1 billion investment in the Torslanda, Sweden plant, includes a new battery assembly facility, fully refurbished paint and final assembly and method rollout stores. large casting” for aluminum parts, Volvo said Tuesday in a press release.
Mega casting refers to the use of large single aluminum castings for key components, such as floor structures. This reduces weight (which improves range and efficiency) and also allows designers to make better use of interior space, according to Volvo. Another benefit of mega casting is reduced manufacturing complexity, resulting in cost savings and lower environmental impact, Volvo claims.
Volvo mega casting
It is the same as a process similar to what Tesla is developing at its Texas factory, on the Model Y for the first time. It’s a process that has mentioned many times by CEO Elon Musk of Tesla important for future profitability and scaling — and it can create more consistent vehicles.
Volvo also plans to upgrade the paint shop of the Torslanda factory with new paint machines and processes, which the automaker claims will reduce energy use and emissions.
The new battery assembly plant will place cells into modules and packages, the assembly workshop will be modified to accommodate EV-specific processes, such as matching the battery pack to the vehicle structure, Volvo said. The plant’s logistics area will also be upgraded to optimize the flow of parts, the automaker said.
Volvo mega casting
Opened in 1964, the Torslanda plant now has an annual production capacity of 300,000 vehicles, according to Volvo. That makes it the carmaker’s largest plant and once the largest single workplace in Sweden, Volvo claims.
The focus on addressing manufacturing-related emissions while upgrading the plant for electric vehicles is in line with Volvo’s efforts to monitor CO2 footprint of its own vehicle, from its manufacture to its end of use. Volvo Are you planning to go too? to reduce its environmental impact even further.
Just last week, Volvo also revealed plans for a mammoth, battery factory joint venture with Northvolt near Gothenburg, Sweden. Scheduled to open in 2025, it will have a “potential” annual cell production capacity for 500,000 EVs, Volvo claims.
