BYD Considers European Battery Plant as EV Expansion Accelerates

Chinese automaker BYD faces a pivotal infrastructure decision as its European electric vehicle production ramps up. The company's European advisor Alfredo emphasized the logistical imperative during a Milan industry event: localized battery manufacturing must follow assembly plant investments. BYD's upcoming Hungarian facility, operational by year-end, and planned Turkish plant will collectively produce 500,000 vehicles annually.

The strategic crossroads presents two paths - either establish a third vehicle assembly site or build the company's first European battery factory. Energy costs loom large in the calculus, with both facility types being exceptionally power-intensive. BYD's European expansion already reflects market adaptation, adding plug-in hybrids to its pure EV lineup to accommodate regional preferences.