Britishvolt secures “multi-million-pound” UKBIC battery development deal

A company behind plans for an 3000-job Northumberland vehicle battery endeavour has secured a “multi-million-pound” development deal.

Britishvolt is working with the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) to finetune production of its power packs.

Bosses say the two-year partnership will help Britishvolt develop, assemble and make sample cells for mass production and commercialisation at its planned factory in Northumberland.

The UKBIC agreement represents another boost for Britishvolt, having earlier this month landed Government cash support it says has secured £1.7 billion private funding to make its plant blueprint a reality.

When fully operational, it says the base – on the former Blyth power station site, in Cambois, near Blyth – will have potential to create 3000 direct jobs and up to 5000 supply chain posts, and hold capacity to make 300,000 batteries every year for the electric vehicle market.

Reacting to its UKBIC deal, Graham Hoare, Britishvolt’s president of global operations, said its support is providing “an essential ingredient” in the manufacturer’s “accelerated roadmap to market”.

He said: “We are extremely pleased with the service offered by UKBIC and the promising results we’re seeing.

“By working with our customers early, we can offer flexibility and specific attributes linked to their application requirements; this is a vital USP and signals the age of ‘off the peg’ battery production is no longer suitable for all.

“Low-carbon, sustainable battery cells, and associated research and development, are the essential ingredients on the glidepath to net-zero.

“Only responsibly produced batteries will lead to a successful energy transition.”

Jeff Pratt, managing director at Coventry-based UKBIC, added: “We are here to support UK companies scaling up their battery production and upskilling their workforce.

“We welcome the opportunity to support Britishvolt on its journey.”