A symbolic start was made in north-western Germany on Monday on constructing a multibillion euro plant making battery cells for electric cars after state funding and local permits were approved. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has emphasised the strategic importance of investments such as the Northvolt battery factory for Germany and Europe. “Germany was, is and will remain a strong industrialized country,” Scholz said during the gigafactory’s opening ceremony. “And the production of good cars will remain the backbone of our industry beyond the combustion engine.” This requires battery cells mad…