Volkswagen Copying Tesla’s ‘Battery Day’ Event

One of the best and most effective ways Tesla reveals new vehicles and promotes related products is with its annual “Battery Day” event. Other automakers, meanwhile, host numerous events throughout the year, including auto shows, for new product unveilings. Both methods work but there’s something special about “Battery Day” that gets Tesla fans all fired up. Volkswagen wants to replicate that in its own unique though similar way.

The German has just announced plans for its first-ever “Power Day” online event that will take place on March 15. However, VW CEO Herbert Diess made clear this will “not be a car presentation,” but rather something battery-related.

Chances are the announcement will include details about VW’s plan to secure a long-term battery supply for its future electric vehicle lineup beyond the already on sale VW ID.4. Just a few days ago, the carmaker announced an acceleration of its EV strategy with 50 percent of its vehicles to be all-electric in the US and China by 2030, and 70 percent in Europe by the same year. It’s certainly a bold and ambitious plan that will, quite clearly, require a steady battery supply.

VW, like Tesla, does not currently make its own batteries, though this will likely change in the years ahead. For now, VW has billions of dollars in contracts with battery manufacturers like Samsung, LG Chem, and SK Innovation.

It has also invested in joint ventures with QuantumScape and NorthVolt for battery cell development and production. Diess has also confirmed plans to manufacture battery cells in Spain at its factory in Martorell. “Our plans are bold: Conversion of Martorell into a fully electric car plant, local cell production in Spain, buildup of infrastructure for fast charging and green energy,” Diess said in a new LinkedIn post.

Diess is continuing to grow his Twitter followers as well, knowing full well just how powerful and effective the social media platform can be when it comes to company updates and communicating directly with customers. Just ask Elon Musk.