Scotland-based AMTE Power (amtepower.com) and Coventry-based Britishvolt (britishvolt.com) are investigating the feasability of building the UK’s first full cycle battery cell factory, servicing the automotive and energy storage markets.

They have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to create and expand an onshore manufacturing supply chain.

The successful outcome of the collaboration would enable scalable production of a wide product portfolio of lithium-ion batteries to support the country’s ‘Road to Zero’ targets and transition to electrification.

Kevin Brundish, AMTE Power CEO at said: “We are delighted to be working with Britishvolt exploring the creation of a large scale manufacturing facility in the UK, and thank the Advanced Propulsion Centre at the University of Warwick for introducing us.

“The recent global crisis has further highlighted the importance of having a robust onshore supply chain, and the creation of a GigaPlant would place the UK in a strong position to service automotive and energy storage markets.

The scalable production of lithium-ion cells is key to electrifying vehicles and would drive new manufacturing revenues and new employment, and can be built on AMTE’s focus on the supply of specialised cells, thereby continuing the country’s tradition of excellence in battery cell innovation.”

Lars Carlstrom, CEO at Britishvolt, said: “Aligning our objectives with AMTE Power, which is looking to add to its current manufacturing capabilities in the UK, our ambition is to build a 30-plus GW/hr factory with the support of the UK Government, creating up to 4,000 jobs in the process.

“Meeting Road to Zero targets and moving the UK into a low carbon economy will necessitate the unprecedented electrification of vehicles, and reliance on renewable energy will require extensive battery storage.

“It is costly and carbon-intensive to have lithium-ion batteries imported from the Far East, and this GigaPlant would cement a solid onshore supply chain to ensure quality and eliminate future uncertainty of supply.”

APC CEO Ian Constance said: “Positive changes in consumer perception leading to increased demand and technological advances in battery innovation make for a healthy electric vehicle landscape.

“The UK is a highly credible location for green growth investment. It has a rich and diverse supply chain, a rapidly decarbonising energy supply and an innovation culture, and Government support through a strong industrial strategy.

“As the pace and scale of change accelerates towards new net-zero targets, the UK is in a prime position to design, develop, manufacture and export high-value battery technologies. It is a positive testament that AMTE power and Britishvolt recognise the full potential of the UK and have identified it as a priority for its battery industrialisation explorations.”