Kamenz Powers New CLA Batteries as BMW Starts Gen6 Production

Mercedes-Benz launches new CLA battery production in Kamenz, while BMW begins Gen6 cell manufacturing with CATL and EVE Energy. Both push EV innovation.

In Kamenz, Saxony, Mercedes-Benz is taking a decisive step to strengthen its position in the mass-market EV segment — its subsidiary ACCUMOTIVE has officially launched series production of a new generation of high-tech batteries for the fully electric CLA. This start reaffirms Kamenz’s role as a key competence hub for the brand, with over two million batteries produced in the past 13 years and clear plans for a closed-loop reuse system ahead.

The new battery line combines modern lithium iron phosphate and lithium-ion cells with silicon oxide anodes, with a major technical highlight being its 800-volt electric architecture. This allows the CLA 250+ to recover up to 325 kilometers of range in just ten minutes of charging, with a maximum range reaching an impressive 792 kilometers. The 350-meter-long production line combines manual and automated processes, all fully integrated into the MO360 digital ecosystem — ensuring seamless traceability from assembly to vehicle installation.

Mercedes-Benz is placing strong emphasis on circularity: from 2026, ACCUMOTIVE will open the Battery ReUse Center Europe, refurbishing used batteries and returning them to the brand’s aftersales network. In Kuppenheim, the company’s dedicated recycling plant processes up to 2,500 tonnes of battery material annually, enabling the production of tens of thousands of new modules without relying on virgin resources.

Kamenz’s contribution is significant both technologically and economically — the site represents hundreds of millions of euros in investments, secures over 1,500 jobs, and remains a vital economic driver for the Lausitz region. The new CLA with batteries from Saxony will reach customers in Europe, China, and the US as the brand aims to sharpen its edge in the competitive EV landscape.

Interestingly, BMW has also announced this week that it is ramping up series production of its sixth-generation Gen6 batteries. In Bavaria, the company is testing new methods and building a direct recycling hub in Kirchroth. With support from CATL and EVE Energy, BMW plans to boost the range of its Neue Klasse models by up to 30% while halving production costs. Against this backdrop, it’s clear that the race for technological leadership and localised production in the mass-market EV segment is entering a new phase.