Electric vehicle battery strategy launched by Government

The Government has launched an electric vehicle (EV) battery strategy setting out how it intends to grow the supply chain in the UK.

The UK’s first battery strategy has been published alongside its advanced manufacturing plan, which includes £2 billion in funding being made available for the automotive sector, supporting the manufacturing and development of zero emission vehicles, their batteries and supply chain for five years to 2030.

Some of that cash helped secure a commitment from Nissan to build three fully-electric models and an additional gigafactory at its Sunderland plant as part of a £2bn investment by the manufacturer.

The Government’s 2030 vision is for the UK to have a globally competitive battery supply chain that supports economic prosperity and the net zero transition.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of automotive trade body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said: “Decarbonising road transport is essential if net zero is to be achieved, and that transition must be ‘built in Britain’.

“The Government’s advanced manufacturing plan sets out measures to support the UK automotive supply chain as it undergoes the most significant transition in its history.

“The plan, together with a new battery strategy to support the development and production of this critical technology, is essential if the UK is to compete in the face of fierce global competition.

“These initiatives can only help to attract the investment necessary to seize the growth opportunities a net zero economy offers.”

Writing in the forward to the battery strategy, industry minister Nusrat Ghani, explained how research at the University of Oxford in the 1970s made the lithium-ion battery possible. But, today, most industrial rechargeable batteries are manufactured in East Asia.

“The UK and other industrialised countries are responding to the challenge given the importance of the growth of the sector and its critical role in ensuring our economic security,” she said.

“This strategy brings together Government activity and describes our priorities. It sets out our vision for the sector, the commitments to deliver the vision, and establishes the framework and priorities for our future work with industry.

“The battery strategy describes how we will build on our comparative advantage, scale up our emerging supply chain, and continue to secure internationally mobile investment.

“Our approach sets the strategy as we further develop the regulations and support mechanisms to leverage growth in the sector, particularly to seize the economic opportunities of increased reuse, repair, repurposing, and recycling of industrial batteries.”

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) welcomed the package of investment and policy announcements for the advanced manufacturing sector.

“The advanced manufacturing plan and UK battery strategy is an important first step and we look forward to working with the Government to create the right environment to ensure an innovative and internationally competitive sector,” it said.