The West Midlands Gigafactory joint venture has confirmed that it is in advanced discussions with several leading Asian battery manufacturers about future investment at the Coventry site. The gigafactory’s Coventry location is the only available site in the UK with planning permission in place for a large-scale battery production facility with capacity for up to 60GWh per annum – enough to power 600,000 electric vehicles (EVs).

The facility is perfectly placed as a pioneering centre of excellence for battery technology and manufacturing, located at the heart of the UK’s manufacturing industry and is the first of its kind in the UK that offers an all-in-one solution for battery research, industrialisation, manufacturing, testing, recycling and electrified logistics designed to foster the UK’s growing battery ecosystem.

Speaking at the Labour Party Conference on Monday, Councillor Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change at Coventry City Council, said: “The West Midlands Gigafactory site in Coventry is a prime location offering future investors an all-in-one solution for battery manufacturing, research, industrialisation and recycling. In addition, we are well-positioned to become an Investment Zone, which will deliver significant additional tax incentives and breaks for future investors.”

Shift towards electrification
He added: “I am pleased to report that we are now in advanced discussions with leading Asian battery manufacturers who want to develop a presence in the UK. We hope, with the support of the UK Government, that we will secure an investor and further strengthen our region’s leadership credentials in the shift towards electrification.”

The site is located at the heart of the UK’s manufacturing industry in the West Midlands with access to world-class skills, talent and supply chain capabilities in the region. It benefits from a strong transport infrastructure for the future Gigafactory’s logistics requirements, supply chain and access for up to 6,000 employees.

As the electrification revolution represents the largest shift in industrial skills for the UK in a generation, the gigafactory is ideally placed to be a catalyst to strengthen the region’s high value skills and research credentials as part of the UK Government’s West Midlands Investment Zone.

In recognition of the strategic importance of this project, an unprecedented regional incentives package will be available to the eventual occupier. This is expected to create favourable conditions for local taxation and access to clean, sustainable power that a world-class battery facility requires.