{"id":51282,"date":"2024-09-19T09:44:27","date_gmt":"2024-09-19T08:44:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=51282"},"modified":"2024-09-19T09:44:27","modified_gmt":"2024-09-19T08:44:27","slug":"ev-battery-manufacturing-in-the-uk-must-pick-up-the-pace-study-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/ev-battery-manufacturing-in-the-uk-must-pick-up-the-pace-study-says\/51282\/","title":{"rendered":"EV battery manufacturing in the UK must pick up the pace, study says"},"content":{"rendered":"

Recent announcements showcase the UK as an attractive location for battery manufacturing, but redoubling of efforts are needed to keep pace with investments across Europe.<\/h2>\n

In an update to its 2022 study, the Faraday Institution predicts that by 2030, the UK will need the equivalent of six gigafactories<\/a> (large, high-volume battery manufacturing facilities), each producing 20 GWh per year of batteries.<\/p>\n

By 2040, the demand is expected to rise to the equivalent of ten of these gigafactories. Fewer, larger gigafactories reaching the same total capacity could meet this demand.<\/p>\n

EV battery manufacturing is moving slowly in the UK<\/h3>\n

Recent gigafactory announcements in the UK by AESC and Tata Group have built excitement about the potential to create a new, dynamic and highly skilled battery industry in the UK<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The report finds that 270,000 UK jobs could be supported by the EV and battery industry by 2040.<\/p>\n

These announcements showcase the UK as an attractive location for EV battery manufacturing companies to build their European plants. However, the UK is making progress but not moving fast enough compared to its European competitors.<\/p>\n

UK battery manufacturing plants announced or under construction are expected to reach a combined capacity of 57.6 GWh by 2030, equivalent to around 4% of total European GWh capacity, behind Germany (21%) and six other countries.<\/p>\n

At present, existing gigafactory development plans do not address 47% of the projected demand for UK batteries by 2030.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, 71% of the demand projected for 2040 has yet to be met.<\/p>\n

Developing an efficient supply chain<\/h3>\n

The UK Government previously developed a strategy and implemented a wide range of policies and incentives to help create a new battery manufacturing industry in the UK.<\/p>\n

For example, the UK Battery Strategy<\/a> adopts a Design-Build-Sustain approach to enhance innovation, manufacturing and sustainability across the battery ecosystem.<\/p>\n

The UK Government and industry stakeholders still need to make timely and coordinated efforts to attract more gigafactories to the UK.<\/p>\n

Developing a resilient, sustainable, and efficient supply chain alongside building up skills and\u00a0capability will also be critical to securing the future of the UK automotive industry.<\/p>\n

Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation Sarah Jones said: \u202f\u201cOur modern Industrial Strategy will build on this legacy and bring growth, jobs and opportunities to every part of the UK.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe continue to work with investors and industry through our Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) to progress plans to build a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain here in the UK, including work on unlocking crucial investment in gigafactories.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stephen Gifford, Chief Economist, Faraday Institution, added: \u201cThere is a growing sense of optimism that a highly productive and sustainable battery manufacturing industry can be built in the UK.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy 2040, a successful industry could employ 170,000 people in EV battery manufacturing, 35,000 people in gigafactories and 65,000 people in the battery supply chain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continued efforts needed<\/h3>\n

Concerted and coordinated efforts will be needed to improve the competitiveness of the UK and position the UK as a leader in cutting-edge battery technology through action in the following areas:<\/p>\n