A COMPANY specialising in batteries to power future electrified vehicles plans to open a new global headquarters just outside Coventry.
Britishvolt, the UK’s foremost investor in advanced battery technologies, has announced its intention to locate a 5,000 square metre facility at the MIRA Technology Park Campus on the A5 between Coventry and Nuneaton, already renowned as a global innovation hub.
This new facility, sited in the heartland of the UK automotive industry, will spearhead the development of Lithium Ion battery technologies for future electrified vehicles. This closely follows the UK Government’s announcement to ban all petrol and diesel vehicle production by 2030.
It is expected to be fully operational by 2022, housing Britishvolt’s leadership team with the start of production at Britain’s first gigaplant in Bro Tathan, South Wales – a former RAF base – due in 2023.
Further developments are also being considered which could see Britishvolt expand the site, opening up the opportunity to bring highly skilled and specialist jobs to the West Midlands.
Britishvolt CEO, Orral Nadjari said: “A new global headquarters in the West Midlands marks a crucial step for Britishvolt, especially coming so soon after last week’s announcement regarding the new 2030 deadline. The battery industry is constantly evolving and it’s important that we stay ahead to position the UK at the forefront of the global battery industry.
“With further development being planned it is in the right place to take advantage of world-class talent. We intend to produce world-class batteries, which are strategically important both for the future of the UK automotive industry and the future strength of the entire UK economy. We are hoping to start working closely with local government to help make our additional plans for future development a certainty.”
MIRA Technology Park Managing Director, Tim Nathan “We are extremely pleased to welcome Britishvolt to MIRA Technology Park. It joins a large number of companies dedicated to the UK being at the forefront of automotive innovation. Britishvolt’s mission to develop and produce world-class lithium-ion batteries is crucial to the future of the UK automotive industry as we rapidly progress to an electrified future.”
