A multibillion-pound electric car battery factory is set to be built in Somerset, the UK government has announced.
The factory, which Britishvolt will build, will be the first gigafactory in the UK.
Gigafactories are large-scale factories that produce lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. The factory is expected to create up to 3,000 jobs during construction and up to 9,000 jobs once operational.
It is also expected to boost the UK’s automotive industry and help it achieve its net zero emissions target by 2050.
The factory will be built at Gravity business park in Bridgwater, Somerset. The site was chosen because it is close to a major motorway and has access to a skilled workforce.
Britishvolt is a British company that is developing battery technology for electric vehicles. The company has already secured £100 million in funding from investors, and it is expected to raise a further £1 billion to build the factory.
The construction of the factory is expected to begin in 2023, and it is expected to be operational by 2025. The factory will have an initial production capacity of 100 gigawatt-hours, enough to power 300,000 electric vehicles.
The UK government is providing Britishvolt with £100 million in funding to help build the factory. The government is also supporting the development of the UK’s battery supply chain.
“This is a major milestone for the UK’s automotive industry and our journey to net zero emissions,” Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng told Daily Mail. “This factory will create thousands of jobs and help us build a cleaner, greener future for the UK.”
“We are delighted to be building our first gigafactory in the UK,” said Orral Nadjari, CEO of Britishvolt, in a company statement. “This is a major vote of confidence in the UK’s automotive industry and its commitment to net zero emissions.”
Experts believe that the factory is a sign of the UK government’s commitment to supporting the automotive industry, which is committed to providing both financial and supply chain support.
