Electric vehicle battery plan unveiled by Government

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【Summary】The UK government has launched an electric vehicle battery strategy as part of its plan to support the growth of the EV supply chain in the country. The strategy includes £2 billion in funding for the automotive sector over five years, with a focus on manufacturing and development of zero emission vehicles and their batteries. The aim is for the UK to have a globally competitive battery supply chain that supports economic prosperity and the transition to net zero emissions.

FutureCar Staff Nov 27, 2023 5:16 AM PT

Electric vehicle battery plan unveiled by Government

The Government of the UK has unveiled its electric vehicle (EV) battery strategy, outlining its plans to boost the supply chain within the country. This battery strategy is the first of its kind in the UK and has been released alongside the advanced manufacturing plan, which includes a funding of £2 billion for the automotive sector. The funding aims to support the manufacturing and development of zero-emission vehicles, their batteries, and the overall supply chain until 2030.

A significant portion of this funding played a crucial role in securing a commitment from Nissan to construct three fully-electric models and an additional gigafactory at its Sunderland plant. This commitment is part of a £2 billion investment by the manufacturer. The Government's vision for 2030 is to establish a globally competitive battery supply chain that supports economic prosperity and the transition to a net-zero society.

Mike Hawes, the chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), emphasized the importance of decarbonizing road transport to achieve the net-zero goal. He also highlighted the need for the transition to be "built in Britain." The advanced manufacturing plan outlined by the Government aims to support the UK automotive supply chain during this significant transition and ensure its competitiveness in the face of global competition.

In addition to the advanced manufacturing plan, the battery strategy plays a crucial role in supporting the development and production of this critical technology. These initiatives are expected to attract the necessary investment to capitalize on the growth opportunities offered by a net-zero economy.

Industry minister Nusrat Ghani, in the forward to the battery strategy, acknowledged the role of research at the University of Oxford in the 1970s in making the lithium-ion battery possible. However, she noted that most industrial rechargeable batteries are currently manufactured in East Asia. The UK and other industrialized countries are responding to this challenge due to the sector's importance and its critical role in ensuring economic security.

Ghani further explained that the battery strategy brings together government activities and outlines the priorities, vision, commitments, and framework for future work with the industry. The strategy aims to capitalize on the UK's comparative advantage, scale up the emerging supply chain, and attract international investment. The government's approach also focuses on developing regulations and support mechanisms to leverage growth in the sector, particularly in terms of reuse, repair, repurposing, and recycling of industrial batteries.

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has expressed its support for the investment and policy announcements for the advanced manufacturing sector. JLR sees the advanced manufacturing plan and UK battery strategy as an important initial step and looks forward to collaborating with the government to create an environment that fosters innovation and international competitiveness within the sector.