TWO COMPANIES have been named which will be building a £200million battery scale-up centre in the West Midlands.
Britishvolt will partner with logistics real estate operator Prologis to build the centre, home to the internationally renowned battery eco-system of WMG at the University of Warwick, the Advance Propulsion Centre and Coventry’s UK Battery Industrialisation Centre.
The plan will create more than 150 highly skilled well paid jobs, unifying the Britishvolt Northumberland Gigaplant with the centrally located ‘scale-up / technology hub to create a ‘Battery Corridor’.
The Hams Hall site will spearhead new cell formats and electro chemistries to create higher performance, production ready, batteries of the future whilst helping lower cell costs for more affordable EVs, aiding mass adoption.
New facilities, based at Prologis Park Hams Hall, are net zero carbon in construction and will achieve an EPC A Rating in operation
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Britishvolt’s investment in the West Midlands is another seismic vote of confidence both in the future of our region and our automotive prowess.
“We are already the heartland of the UK’s automotive industry with the country’s biggest car manufacturer, Europe’s largest research centre of its kind, the UK’s only battery industrialisation centre, and a world-leading supply chain.
“So, it is incredibly exciting that as we accelerate our Gigafactory plans for Coventry Airport, Britishvolt are adding their expertise to our cluster.
“I am determined the West Midlands becomes a global leader in the research and production of state-of-the-art battery technology, and today’s announcement is another step towards achieving that.”
Paul Franklin, Property Director, Britishvolt: “The UK’s battery ecosystem is a global leader in integrated technology development and industrialisation with the Warwick Manufacturing Group, Faraday Institution, UK Battery Industrialisation Centre and the Advanced Propulsion Centre.
“I am delighted to see Britishvolt lead the UK’s journey into re-industrialisation with the first full-scale battery Gigaplant.
“The new scale-up facilities announced today will help the UK build on its home-grown battery intellectual property and level up the country ready for the energy transition.”
Tom Price, Capital Leasing and Deployment Director at Prologis UK, said: “Partnering with innovative technology brand Britishvolt has been a pleasure.
“The reputation of Hams Hall and the location’s connections to the UK automotive sector has allowed us to embark on a wider conversation with Britishvolt.
“With battery technology seen as the way forward, it’s exciting to be working in this growing sector.
“Prologis is committed to embedding sustainability into every aspect of our business.
“When looking at “last-mile” logistics, that is the final delivery of goods to people’s homes, it’s clear that the work Britishvolt are embarking on will contribute to reducing emissions in supply chains.”
