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The purchase for an undisclosed amount, announced today (27 February) by Australian battery manufacturer Recharge Industries, will reportedly shift the focus of the planned facility in Cambois, Northumberland, close to Blyth.
Before collapsing into administration due to a lack of funds in January, Britishvolt had planned to produce batteries for up to 300,000 electric vehicles (EVs) each year. That manufacturing capacity would have played a significant role in the UK’s ambitions to increase EV production, providing a home-grown supply of vital components ahead of the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars.
Instead, Recharge Industries will first focus on batteries for energy storage, according to the BBC. The firm reportedly aims to make those products available by the end of 2025, followed by production of batteries for high-performance sports cars.
Specialising in production and R&D, the Victoria company is developing Australia’s first large-scale lithium-ion cell production facility. It aims to provide “safer, more efficient and recyclable batteries”, and to develop next-generation energy storage options.
“The Britishvolt project will make the UK’s first gigafactory a reality, creating a strategic economic and security asset which will play a critical role in the UK’s industrial and net zero strategies,” a Recharge announcement said. “The recharged Britishvolt will provide thousands of green, skilled and local jobs that will drive local and national benefits.”
The company is owned by New York investment fund Scale Facilitation. Founder and CEO David A Collard said: “Our proposal combined our financial, commercial, technology and manufacturing capabilities with a highly credible plan to put boots and equipment on the ground quickly.
“Our technology – including an exclusive licence for the intellectual property and battery technology – has been developed and validated over the last decade through C4V in the US, and will be the backbone of both gigafactories in Geelong and Cambois.
“Backed by our global supply chain, strategic delivery partners and a number of significant customer agreements in place, we’re confident of making the Cambois gigafactory a success and growing it into an advanced green energy project. We can’t wait to get started.”
Edward Dawes OBE, a UK advisor for Scale Facilitation, said: “It is tremendous that we have been able to secure this advanced battery facility for the UK. Working with our closest allies, America and Australia, and using world-leading and proven technology, now we can take Britishvolt forward with real purpose.
“Scale Facilitation and Recharge Industries have put in place a hugely talented and experienced team, who are looking forward to moving this project on at pace, aligned to strategically important regional, national and international supply chains. This is good for the UK, good for the employees who are in limbo and good for British consumers."
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