Dr. Simon Engelke speaks with Yann Vincent, CEO of Automotive Cells Company (ACC) to explore the strategic vision and challenges of strengthening Europe's battery independence through sustainable manufacturing, regulatory navigation, and future expansion plans. 

ACC is a European battery manufacturer backed by Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, and TotalEnergies. They build gigafactories to power Europe’s clean mobility shift and to strengthen the continent’s battery independence and industrial resilience.

What we cover in this episode:

• Yann Vincent's personal insights on leadership and his transition from automotive to battery manufacturing
• ACC's origin story and its vision for Europe's battery independence
• Battery cell costs, local supply chains, chemistry choices, and EU regulations
• The impact of electric vehicle (EV) demand on expansion plans and ACC's financing strategies
• ACC's sustainability efforts, potential moves beyond automotive into energy storage and next-generation battery technologies
• The importance of local supply chains and partnerships with European battery material suppliers
• Challenges of competing with Chinese manufacturers, the need for European sovereignty in battery production, and the role of government support and regulations

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to ACC and the European Battery Landscape

02:58 Yann Vincent's Background and the Formation of ACC

05:26 Current Status and Future Plans of ACC

08:08 Yann's Personal Motivations for Transitioning from Automotive to Battery Cell Production

14:02 Challenges in Battery Cell Costs and Competition with China

16:49 The Importance of European Battery Supply Chains for the European Car Industry

18:11 How Europe Can Catch Up with China in Battery Cell Manufacturing

23:50 Tariffs vs. Subsidies as Regulatory Support

27:24 Competitive Advantages and Disadvantages of a Fully European Battery Material Supply Chain

30:06 Navigating Battery Chemistry and Market Trends

35:09 Balancing Manufacturing with R&D

36:37 Is Regulation a Competitive Advantage or a Burden? Sustainability in Battery Production

38:48 How the European Financing Ecosystem is Responding to the Battery Industry

46:09 Market Demand Dynamics and Future Expansion Plans

50:18 Thoughts on Expansion Approach

52:52 Similarities and Differences Between Battery Manufacturing and Car Manufacturing

54:32 Future Outlook for ACC and the Battery Market