EU approves €48M aid for Envision AESC battery plant in France

The European Commission has approved a €48 million state aid package to support the establishment of a lithium-ion battery factory by Envision AESC France in Douai, Hauts-de-France. This factory will have an initial production capacity of 9 GWh per year and is expected to create approximately 1,000 direct jobs, along with additional indirect employment opportunities. The initiative aligns with the EU's strategic goals of job creation, regional development, and promoting a green economy, as the facility is designed to be carbon-neutral. The project is part of a larger investment, including a total of €1.3 billion, with backing from the European Investment Bank. The factory is strategically located near Renault's existing facilities, aiming to support the production of electric vehicles, particularly the next-generation Renault R5. Future expansions could increase the plant's capacity to as much as 30 GWh by the 2030s, reinforcing France's position in the EV battery sector.