June 3, 2025 | Duée, France — Envision AESC, the battery subsidiary of China’s Envision Group, officially launched production at its state-of-the-art gigafactory in Duée, northern France. The inauguration was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and Envision Chairman Zhang Lei, underscoring the project’s national and international significance in accelerating the energy transition.
The factory’s first phase represents an investment of €800 million and will produce 10 GWh of lithium-ion batteries annually—enough to power around 200,000 electric vehicles each year. Renault is set to be one of the key partners, using batteries from the Duée plant in its R5 E-Tech electric model. The facility marks Envision AESC’s first newly constructed European battery plant to enter operation.
President Macron lauded the opening as a symbol of France’s industrial renewal. “Holding a miner’s lamp in one hand and a lithium battery in the other, we are turning a page in our history,” he said. “We are closing the chapter of coal and writing a new one powered by clean energy, green jobs, and sustainable innovation.” Macron also noted that the Duée region, once a coal-mining hub, is now positioning itself at the heart of Europe’s green technology revolution.
The gigafactory is expected to scale up to 24 GWh by 2030, with potential expansion to 40 GWh depending on market demand. Total investment could reach €2 billion, and the facility is projected to create more than 1,000 direct jobs, revitalizing the local economy while supporting France’s broader decarbonization goals.
Envision Chairman Zhang Lei emphasized the global vision behind the project. “This is not just a factory; it is a starting point for the future,” he said. “Duée will not only manufacture advanced batteries but also share in building a net-zero world. We believe in a world where clean energy is accessible, affordable, and connected.” Zhang also reiterated Envision’s commitment to integrating intelligent manufacturing and green digital solutions into all of its global operations.
The Duée plant adds to Envision’s expanding global battery footprint, which includes facilities in China, the U.K., the U.S., Spain, and Japan. Since acquiring AESC from Nissan in 2019, Envision has grown into one of the world’s leading suppliers of smart battery solutions, partnering with major automakers and governments in the transition toward zero-emission mobility.
The launch of the Duée gigafactory is not only a milestone for Envision but a pivotal moment for Europe’s clean energy strategy—one that aligns industrial ambition with environmental responsibility.