“Tata Group Selects UK for New EV Battery Plant, to Supply Future Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Models”
Tata Group has chosen the UK as the location for its new electric vehicle (EV) battery plant, which is intended to supply future battery electric models for Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), including the Range Rover, Defender, Discovery, and Jaguar brands. The company revealed that the factory would require a substantial investment of 4 billion pounds ($5.2 billion).
The decision was praised by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who stated, “Tata Group’s multi-billion-pound investment in a new battery factory in the UK is testament to the strength of our car manufacturing industry and its skilled workers.” The project is expected to generate around 4,000 job opportunities directly, and additional employment opportunities are anticipated to be created in the supply chain.
With the global shift towards zero-emission vehicles gaining momentum, Prime Minister Sunak emphasized that this investment would boost the UK economy, advance the nation’s expertise in battery technology, and create thousands more jobs throughout the supply chain.
Although Spain was also under consideration, N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, stressed the group’s commitment to a sustainable future across all its businesses. He remarked, “Our multi-billion-pound investment will bring state-of-the-art technology to the country, helping to power the automotive sector’s transition to electric mobility, anchored by our own business, JLR.” Chandrasekaran further highlighted that this strategic investment strengthens Tata Group’s dedication to the UK.
This decision comes as Britain aims to catch up in the global competition to establish local electric vehicle battery capacity, a critical factor for automakers reliant on proximity to their car factories for heavy battery production.
The substantial investment will play a crucial role in enhancing the UK’s battery manufacturing capacity, supporting the electric vehicle industry in the long term. The initial output of 40GWh from the plant will contribute nearly half of the battery production estimated to be needed in the UK by 2030, as projected by the Faraday Institution.
