June 13, 2025: AESC, majority-owned by China-based Envision Energy, has announced the formal launch of its EV and BESS battery gigafactory in France.

The company said French president Emmanuel Macron took part in the inauguration ceremony at Douai on June 3.
With an annual production capacity of 10GWh, the facility supplies advanced batteries for Renault, with the potential to power up to 200,000 EVs every year.

AESC said the Douai plant is powered by clean electricity and features advanced manufacturing processes, including electrode production, cell assembly, and module integration.

Company chairman Lei Zhang said: “By investing in cutting-edge battery technology and skilled talent, we are proud to help accelerate the decarbonization of transportation worldwide.”

Last January, the European Commission approved state-aid support from France worth €48 million ($50 million) for the gigafactory.
The Commission had said previously that Envision AESC would not continue with the project in Douai without the financial support and had given the go-ahead for the French government’s proposal for grant aid.