Northvolt Opens Europe's Largest EV Battery Gigafactory in Sweden: 60GWh Capacity
Swedish battery maker Northvolt has opened Europe's largest EV battery gigafactory in Skellefteå, producing 60GWh annually — enough for 1 million electric vehicles per year.
Aditya Raj
July 17, 2026
Northvolt opens Europe's largest EV battery gigafactory in Sweden (60GWh capacity). Runs on 100% hydropower, competitive €55/kWh production cost. €30B in contracts from VW, BMW, Volvo, Polestar. Aims to reduce European battery dependence on China from 80% to 50% by 2028.
The factory employs 4,000 workers and is powered entirely by hydroelectricity from the Skellefte River. The cold Nordic climate actually benefits battery production by reducing cooling costs in the manufacturing process. Northvolt is already planning a second 60GWh factory in Germany and a recycling plant that recovers 95% of battery materials."Every battery cell produced in Skellefteå is a step toward European energy independence. The green transition cannot depend on a single supplier country."
— Peter Carlsson, Northvolt CEO
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Key Takeaways
- 1Northvolt's 60GWh Swedish gigafactory — Europe's largest, powering 1 million EVs/year
- 2100% renewable hydropower with closed-loop water system and recycled materials
- 3€55/kWh production cost competitive with Chinese manufacturers
- 4Aims to reduce European EV battery import dependence from China by 30 percentage points
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Northvolt's gigafactory?
In Skellefteå, northern Sweden, powered entirely by hydroelectricity.
How many batteries does it produce?
60GWh annually — enough for approximately 1 million electric vehicles per year.
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