COVENTRY’S proposed West Midlands Gigafactory could be about to take a big step forward as it has been revealed the joint venture is in ‘advanced talks’ with several Asian battery manufacturers about future investment at the site.
The Coventry site is the only one available in the UK with planning permission for a large-scale battery production facility with enough to power 600,000 electric vehicles.
At the Labour Party Conference on Monday, Coventry City Council’s cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change, Coun Jim O’Boyle, said he hoped with UK Government support the project would secure an investor.
He added: “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.
“I’m pleased to report that we are now in advanced discussions with leading Asian battery manufacturers who want to develop a presence in the UK.”
The West Midlands Gigafactory could create up to 6,000 new jobs as well as protect and create tens of thousands more in the automotive supply chain.
The zone would include the Coventry Airport site and adjacent employment land which could be used to support the battery and automotive supply chain.
