John Patsavellas, senior lecturer in manufacturing management at Cranfield University and a member of the IET’s Sustainability and Net Zero Policy Centre.
The UK stands at the threshold of a green industrial revolution, which involves world-class gigafactories that power the future of electric mobility. From Spitfires to satellites, we have built a world-class manufacturing legacy. Why shouldn’t the UK also be home to world-leading electric vehicle battery production? With operational expertise honed over decades and a deep-seated industrial heritage, the UK has everything needed to excel in battery production. But ambition alone won’t build a gigafactory; it requires billions in capital, strategic partnership and bold action.
Gigafactories are no small venture. Each one costs £2bn-4bn, with governments around the world backing such projects with up to £750m per facility. The UK has budgeted far less than that, which may make it more challenging to meet our own projected need for five additional...