The collapse of battery manufacturer Britishvolt and its plans to build a new gigafactory sent a message to the emerging electric vehicle industry that mass production of EVs in the UK may no longer be viable. Even now, with the plant under new ownership, the focus for the time being at least is on making batteries for energy storage and the defence industry, rather than for EVs.
With domestic car production down to its lowest level for 66 years, what can the industry do to adapt and overcome this latest setback?
The transition to EVs is gaining momentum year-on-year, and without significant investment, the UK could fall behind other countries. From a tier-one supplier’s perspective, the lack of a clear EV proposition that includes battery manufacturing capabilities makes the UK a less attractive prospect for investment, potentially leading to a reduction in output and rising costs.
The demise of Britishvolt’s planned gigafactory means that there is currently...