New £80 million battery factory will create 10,000 jobs

The National Battery Manufacturing Development Facility (NBMDF) – for which the government has allocated £80 million – could create upward of 10,000 jobs.

According to the Coventry Telegraph, the NBMDF will see the development of the next generation of battery systems across battery chemistry, electrodes, cell design, module and pack level and will see a partnership between academia and industry.

Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, made the announcement following a bid by WMG at the University of Warwick, Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Coventry City Council.

Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, chairman of WMG said, “We are delighted to have been successful in the bid to create this new national battery facility here in the Midlands. Working with industry and the supply chain we will develop and expand battery R&D which will see the creation of skilled jobs and developments within the automotive sector.

“Coventry and the sub region has a significant contribution to make in the delivery of the UK”s national industrial strategy, being in a strong position to lead the advancement of battery development, and vehicle electrification and autonomous vehicles. It will be at the heart of the drive to make the city a smart motor city.”

Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said, “Battery technology is one of the most game-changing forms of energy innovation and it is one of the cornerstones of our ambition, through the Industrial Strategy and the Faraday Challenge, to ensure that the UK leads the world, and reaps the economic benefits, in the global transition to a low carbon economy.

“The new facility, based in Coventry and Warwickshire, will propel the UK forward in this thriving area, bringing experts from academia and industry together to deliver innovation and R&D that will further enhance the West Midlands” international reputation as a cluster of automotive excellence.”