In May 2023, EVE Power announced plans to establish a cutting-edge facility in Debrecen’s Northwest Economic Zone. As a supplier to the BMW Group plant in Debrecen, they will produce cylindrical battery cells for the new generation of electric vehicles. Environmentally conscious and efficient production are the cornerstones of EVE Power’s new factory.
The battery cells produced by EVE Power will have 20% higher energy density, allowing for a 30% increase in the range of electric vehicles and a 30% reduction in charging time.
Following the initial announcement in May 2023, the company received its deep foundation and earthworks permit in October 2023, with piling starting in July 2024. EVE Power is progressing as planned with the project and has applied for an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) permit from the Hajdú-Bihar County Government Office.
The company aims to meet Debrecen’s strictest wastewater discharge standards. EVE Power is committed to using greywater to cover most of the production’s water needs and is implementing an advanced wastewater recycling system. This system will allow wastewater reuse in technological processes, including facilities that treat emissions in closed systems. These measures aim to make resource use in the factory more efficient.
In industries like e-mobility, environmental responsibility and operational efficiency are now essential to business success, impacting the entire supply chain. EVE Power will install an intelligent building management and energy management system to optimize energy consumption digitally and prevent energy loss. Simultaneously, they are developing low-energy-use processes, such as recovering heat loss from compressors and exhaust gases. High-tech equipment, such as high-efficiency motors, transformers, and frequency converters, will support these efforts. EVE Power is also building its own solar power plant to reduce reliance on the grid.
Efficient water management is also a priority; EVE Power will establish a circular system within the factory to reduce external water usage. The factory will recycle water from cooling towers and purified water, significantly enhancing its water management efficiency.
In August 2024, EVE Power signed a letter of intent with the University of Debrecen and Wuhan University to explore joint lithium-ion battery research programs. The partnership aims to support students’ R&D projects with practical experience and provide unique internship opportunities, particularly for students in chemistry, physics, and engineering.
“Today, environmentally conscious and efficient production is essential in a high-tech factory, and we are committed to building our Debrecen facility with this mindset,” said Alexander Holden, Senior Vice President of EVE Power. “We look forward to working with the local community and partners to bring innovative thinking and new opportunities to the entire region.”
The EVE Group has also established a Sustainability Committee to develop methods at the management level that prioritize environmental and social sustainable development. The company and its employees follow the “EVE Business and Conduct Code,” which covers compliance with laws and regulations, business ethics, and transparency.
EVE Power has begun recruiting new colleagues and plans to hire over 1,000 employees, focusing primarily on Hungarian workers. The company started hiring new employees in 2023 and will gradually increase capacity based on project needs. Plans include hiring 60 employees in 2024, approximately 100 in 2025, more than 550 in 2026, and nearly 300 in 2027.
