UK's biggest EV battery factory to be built in Somerset

JLR-owner Tata has selected Somerset as the location for building what is expected to be the biggest battery factory in the UK.

Agratas, Tata's global battery business, has announced it will be building the gigafactory on the Gravity Smart Campus near Bridgwater, Somerset.

Tata announced in January 2023 that it would be investing four billion pounds into the gigafactory.

Somerset councillor Bill Revans said: "[This moment is] about seizing an incredible opportunity to be at the heard of the UK's green energy industry that will create thousands of highly-skilled, well-paid, green jobs."

Agratas has predicted that the plant will be operational in the second half of the decade, eventually producing 40GWh of battery cells annually.

Once fully operational, the factory is set to be one of the largest battery factories in Europe.

Agratas will work closely with local and regional partners, including Somerset Council, Bridgwater and Taunton College, and the wider Gravity Smart Campus, to deliver education and training programmes in the region.

Councillor Ros Wyke, Somerset Council’s executive lead member for economic development, planning and assets, said: "Agratas and the Council will be working with local colleges to deliver the comprehensive workforce and skills solution, including strategic links to other training and academic institutions, to help deliver the specialist skills needed for this project, and to maximise the opportunities for local people and businesses."

Preliminary work on the project has already begun.