Battery manufacturer Britishvolt has secured additional funding from the UK government’s Automotive Transformation Fund for a new battery cell gigaplant in Northumberland.

“While the overwhelming majority of investment for the project will come from private sources, the ATF’s grant funding is very important in proving that the UK Government is confident that we will deliver on our plans, and this will help to generate further private investment,” said Britishvolt Chief Strategy Officer Isobel Sheldon. “This critical investment…will create over 3,000 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs, and that will also strengthen the UK’s technological base and play a key role in helping the country reach its net zero target by 2050.”

“We have now provided Britishvolt with a final grant offer through the Automotive Transformation Fund,” said UK Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng. “The Blyth gigafactory will turbocharge our plans to embed a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the UK. The vast site will ensure Britain can fully capture the benefits of the booming global electric vehicle market. The well-paid jobs and growth it will generate for the Northeast of England will be transformational.”

Meanwhile, Britishvolt has made a deal with Chinese firm BTR to supply synthetic graphite and silicon oxide.

“I am delighted to announce this partnership with one of the industry’s very best suppliers,” said Britishvolt Global Chief Operating Officer Timon Orlob. “Not only do we benefit from the technical expertise of BTR, but we also benefit from their global strategy concerning their manufacturing location and upstream material plans. We were always committed to shape global supply chains, and with this collaboration with BTR we are achieving that.”

Source: Britishvolt