Could £500 million be needed to bring gigafactory to Somerset instead of Spain?
There’s reports the Government’s now being asked to help fund the Somerset site
Last updated 3rd Mar 2023
We've learnt It could be two months before we know if the Government will help fund a huge new gigafactory - for electric car batteries - in Somerset.
The Government says while it won't comment on 'commercial discussions with individual companies' it is looking 'to build a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the UK'.
At Puriton, near Bridgwater, a huge 635 acres has been set aside to build the Gravity business park - which could create 40,000 jobs if it includes a new gigafactory
We've contacted Tata - which owns Jaguar Land Rover - to ask for more details about its reported £500-million bid for support to help build the factory.
It's reported they're also looking at a site in Spain - which could involved the Spanish government offering help to boost its EV sector.
Around six weeks ago, another ev car battery maker British Volt collapsed. Some industry insiders have suggested that if Jaguar Land Rover can't make batteries in the UK - then who can - but others believe the UK is the best location and the firm would still chose to locate there over Spain.
When asked, a Government spokesperson explained they 'continue to work with investors through our Automotive Transformation Fund to progress plans to build a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the UK, and this includes unlocking private investment in gigafactories. We do not comment on commercial discussions with individual companies'.