Indian conglomerate Tata Group unveiled plans to construct a £4 billion ($5.2 billion) gigafactory for electric car batteries in the UK, which will supply its Jaguar Land Rover brands. This move is in line with Britain’s commitment to ban new high-polluting diesel and petrol vehicles by 2030, prompting the country’s automotive sector to transition towards electric vehicles.
The gigafactory, situated in Somerset, southwest England, is Tata Group’s first outside India. It will bring state-of-the-art battery cell manufacturing technology to the UK, providing nearly half of the country’s required battery production by 2030. The factory is set to commence production in 2026, generating around 4,000 jobs and additional employment opportunities in the supply chain.
The investment represents a significant boost to the UK’s automotive sector and aligns with the government’s aim to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch welcomed the move, asserting that the government’s plan for the automotive sector has been validated. Greenpeace’s senior climate campaigner, Paul Morozzo, applauded the announcement as a pivotal moment for the UK car industry in the race towards clean technology. However, he emphasized the need for the government to stay committed to its 2030 target to ensure the success of the electric vehicle manufacturing sector in the UK.
The Tata Group’s gigafactory will be the UK’s second electric battery plant, contrasting with over 30 operational or planned facilities across the European Union. Nissan previously established the country’s first battery gigafactory in Sunderland in 2013 and later invested £1 billion in an independent battery plant in 2021.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Business Recorder
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