Britishvolt drives 3000-job factory plans further forward with EUROBAT partnership

A company behind 3000-job vehicle battery factory plans says it has moved up another gear following a new industry partnership.

Britishvolt is now part of the Association of European Automotive and Industrial Battery Manufacturers (EUROBAT).

Bosses at the firm, which is building a plant to make vehicle power packs at Cambois, near Blyth, Northumberland, says the alliance will further help its blueprint to “deliver a sustainable future”.

Britishvolt’s factory is planned to open on the old coal yards of the former Blyth power station site in 2024, with bosses saying it has the potential to create 3000 direct jobs and up to 5000 supply chain posts by making around 300,000 batteries every year.

Hailing its EUROBAT move, Isobel Sheldon, Britishvolt’s chief strategy officer, said: “Low-carbon, sustainable battery cells will be a key enabler of a successful energy transition.

“Europe and the UK need to build homegrown domestic battery cell production to shorten supply chains and drive carbon out of the battery manufacturing process.

“Batteries are going mainstream as the importance of a switch to renewable energy is truly realized.

“This is not a rehearsal; we need to act now to tackle the increasingly alarming climate crisis.

“We will be powering our plant in Northumberland on 100 per cent renewable energy and offer a collocation strategy to create a commercial battery ecosystem that helps empower a clean air future for all.”

Rene Schroeder, executive-director at EUROBAT, which recently welcomed Italian and Norwegian battery makers to its stable, added: “It’s great to welcome another new member.

“It definitely reflects the spike in interest in batteries we currently see across the board: from public at large, media and policy makers.

“We believe Britishvolt, whose mission is to accelerate the electrification of society and deliver sustainable, low-carbon batteries supporting decarbonisation, will be a great asset.”

The membership move comes just days after Britishvolt announced the launch of a £200 million funding drive.

The company is working with BofA Securities, Citibank Global Markets and Peel Hunt to secure the next tranche of cash for its Northumberland base.

It says the raise – already bolstered by £40 million investment from existing partner Glencore – will help create a pilot plant to expand research and development work.

It comes after Britishvolt secured £1.7 billion Government backing from the Downing Street Automotive Transformation Fund.

The firm has already signed four deals with manufacturers to supply power packs in 2024 and 2025, and is talking to the Canadian Government about an expansion into the country.

It also previously announced a partnership with Lotus to develop batteries for new electric sports cars.