Tata investing £4 billion in UK gigafactory

Tata Sons has confirmed that it will invest £4 billion in building a 40GW battery cell gigafactory in the UK. The plant will supply JLR and Tata Motors commencing from 2026. With the foundering of BritishVolt’s plans for something similar, as the car parc transitions to electric propulsion, the Tata investment is a welcome boost for the UK car parc and for its OE tyre suppliers.

The gigafactory intends to maximise its renewable energy mix, with an ambition for 100 per cent clean power. Tata Sons is the principal investment holding company and promoter of Tata companies. 66 per cent of the equity share capital of Tata Sons is held by philanthropic trusts.

N Chandrasekaran, chairman, Tata Sons, said: “…Our multi-billion pound investment will bring state-of-the-art technology to the country, helping to power the automotive sector’s transition to electric mobility, anchored by our own business, Jaguar Land Rover. With this strategic investment, the Tata group further strengthens its commitment to the UK, alongside our many companies operating here across technology, consumer, hospitality, steel, chemicals, and automotive…”

UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, commented: “Tata group’s decision to build their new gigafactory here in the UK – their first outside of India – is a huge vote of confidence in Britain. This will be one of the largest ever investments in the UK automotive sector. It will not only create thousands of skilled jobs for Britons around the country, but it will also strengthen our lead in the global transition to electric vehicles, helping to grow our economy in clean industries of the future.”