Tata Group UK gigafactory investment – statement

The Advanced Propulsion Centre’s (APC) CEO, Ian Constance, has described today’s confirmation that Tata will invest over £4 billion in a UK gigafactory creating thousands of jobs, as a huge boost to UK electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing.   

Speaking following today’s (19/07/2023) announcement, he said:  

“The UK offers an extremely competitive landscape for investment in the full research, development, and manufacturing ecosystem for electric vehicle technologies and this has been recognised by Tata. Their commitment to this gigafactory development has already had a transformative impact in awakening the battery supply chain sector to opportunities in the UK. 

Our insight, based on our unique relationships with vehicle manufacturers, shows that by 2030 the UK will need over 89GWh per annum of batteries for cars and light commercials alone and represents over 11% of the total demand across Europe.    

We have a vibrant and diverse industry, and Tata’s significant investment through JLR in R&D and manufacturing will help establish competitive supply chains and satisfy this burgeoning demand – and in doing so will create thousands of highly-skilled, green jobs.  

Today marks a significant milestone for the UK, as the batteries produced by Tata will not only work towards fulfilling the UK demand for electric vehicle production but will also boost businesses involved in the UK EV supply chain, meaning the impacts will be far reaching.   

This announcement is a major step in putting the UK at the forefront of the global energy transition, unlocking huge private sector investment that will develop the technology and skills required for Britain to play its part in the next industrial revolution.  

It demonstrates the UK’s competitive position for high technology manufacturing and chemicals processing industries and given the energy-intensity of these new industries, recent Policy support and the rapid decarbonisation of our power generation places the UK in a very competitive position.    

This not only shortens supply chains but also allows for sustainable battery production. This is a truly historic day and a pivotal moment as we move towards a zero-carbon future.”