UK Government In Discussion With 6 Companies To Build EV Battery Plants In The Country: Report

None of the discussions of the said companies with the UK government has been finalised

Six companies are in talks with the UK about building so-called giga-factories for the production of batteries for electric cars in moves that could secure the future of Britain’s automobile industry.

The UK government is in talks with six companies to build electric vehicles battery manufacturing gigafactories in the country, as it tries to catch up with the global race to emerge as a notable player in the electric mobility sphere. 

A report by the Financial Times cites sources while stating that automakers like Ford and Nissan, giants LG and Samsung, and start-ups Britishvolt and InoBat Auto are in discussions with the UK government or local authorities about locations for potential factories and financial support.

While Britishvolt has gone public with its project, the other companies’ discussions with the government or councils about giga-factories have so far been private, as per the report. 

However, none of the discussions of the said companies with the UK government has been finalised. 

Several carmakers like Nissan and Ford have shown their interest in setting up plants in the UK, but are yet to zero in on a particular location for their proposed projects. 

LG and Samsung, two of the largest global players in battery manufacturing that have plants across Europe, are both in early stage talks with the UK government about investments, said the publication.

However, LG and Samsung are only likely to proceed if they have deals with major carmakers. 

This is a critical move for the British government in ensuring that it meets its target to completely ban the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles in the country by 2030, while hybrids by 2035 will require the UK’s vehicle plants to shift to producing electric models.

Stellantis, which owns the Vauxhall plant at Ellesmere Port, is also in talks with the government to make an electric car at the site but has yet to engage in battery sourcing discussions, said one person briefed on the situation, the report further informed.