Blue Solutions received a visit from several high-ranking officials, including Bruno Le Maire, French Minister of the Economy, to announce a 2.2 billion euro investment in the development of new-generation solid-state batteries. This initiative aims to strengthen France’s industrial sovereignty in the strategic sector of batteries for electric vehicles.
Project objectives
The Blue Solutions project will create almost 1,500 jobs by 2032. The gigafactory in Brittany and Eastern France will have an annual production capacity of 25GWh, equivalent to 250,000 electric vehicles. These new batteries, called GEN4, will offer 40% more range than current lithium-ion batteries, responding to the growing needs of the automotive market in terms of performance, safety, cost and respect for the environment.
Importance for Energy Sovereignty
Against a backdrop of global competition dominated by Asia, the development of solid-state batteries in France is crucial to preserving the country’s industrial and energy sovereignty. Blue Solutions’ projects will contribute to France’s national battery strategy and to the goal of producing nearly 2 million electrified vehicles a year in France by 2030.
Support from Regional Authorities and Collaborations
The project is strongly supported by the French government and the Brittany and Grand Est regions. Bruno Le Maire hailed Blue Solutions’ decision to industrialize its batteries in France, underlining the stability and attractiveness of the country’s economic policy. Franck Leroy, President of the Grand Est Region, and Loig Chesnais-Girard, President of the Brittany Region, also expressed their enthusiasm for this project, which positions their regions as avant-garde territories in the automotive industry.
Collaboration and Innovation
Blue Solutions will draw on major technological innovations to produce these new-generation batteries. Advanced R&D activities and an initial pilot line will be set up in Brittany, with industrial production planned for Alsace by 2030. These batteries will offer enhanced performance and a reduced carbon footprint, supporting the European Union’s carbon neutrality objectives. Cyrille Bolloré, CEO of the Bolloré Group, emphasized the importance of this technological breakthrough for the European automotive industry. With an investment of 2.2 billion euros and the creation of 1,500 jobs, this initiative strengthens industrial sovereignty and supports the energy transition. The support of the French government and the Brittany and Grand Est regions demonstrates France’s commitment to innovative, sustainable industry.
