In light of the UK government’s targets for increased production of electric vehicles, the demand for UK-manufactured batteries continues to rise significantly. Establishing a local supply chain is crucial to meeting these demands.
On 27 June, SCI held the tenth event in its series aimed at catalysing the UK's battery supply chain with the 'Battery Materials – Bringing Together the Supply Chain' workshop at the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK in Coventry. Stakeholders from across the battery industry gathered to address the challenge of establishing a robust UK-based supply chain to meet electric vehicle production targets.
David Bott, SCI's Head of Innovation, set the tone by stressing the urgency of fostering collaboration and network-building within the UK battery materials landscape. He noted that the time is right to take decisive action to support future gigafactories and other EV infrastructure developments. Bott encouraged participants to engage in meaningful discussions and explore the next steps together.
The UK is expected be producing over 1 million electric vehicles by 2035, significantly increasing the demand for EV batteries. This surge in EV production is the primary driver behind the growing demand for critical metals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
Chris Jones from the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) provided insights into the regulatory complexities surrounding critical materials, as well as their lifecycle impact and localisation.
He described the global supply chain of lithium and the opportunities the UK has within this network to secure a stable and sustainable supply: ‘we need to work together as a supply chain to bring public, government and media along with us to get them to understand what we are trying to achieve’.
Historically, the UK has excelled in R&D, but has faced challenges in commercialising battery technologies and supporting the supply chain. Jones explained the APC’s dedication to bridging this gap, and its unique capabilities within this funding landscape, to facilitate consortiums, support project management, and leverage investment.
Attendees shared their perspectives on the barriers hindering the industrialisation of critical materials in the UK. A key theme that emerged was the need for government understanding and regulations to control trade and support the supply chain in Europe and the UK.
With the high cost of low-carbon alternatives, it is vital that regulations and policies are implemented to ensure sustainable trade. Regulation is needed from the new government to help the supply chain navigate these challenges and secure its position in the global market. Additionally, with higher mileage batteries, concerns were also raised about the availability of recycled materials, to meet regulatory requirements. This underscores the necessity for a substantial supply of critical materials to support the growing EV market.
Notably, the high costs of energy and land, which have driven much industrial activity abroad, threaten the competitiveness of UK manufacturing. The government must recognise and address power costs urgently in order to highlight the UK's appeal as a prime location for battery manufacturing to international investors.
Attendees also deliberated on the challenges of scaling up from the lab and pilot stages to giga-scale production, noting the difficulties start-ups face in securing contracts without prior investment in scale-up. Stable policies were identified as crucial to create an environment that supports investment in this fast-changing industry.
The event placed a significant focus on the readiness of the UK supply chain to meet the demands of upcoming gigafactories, as detailed by Ian Ellerington from the Faraday Institution. Ellerington outlined the UK battery ecosystem and highlighted gigafactory projects in Sunderland, Somerset, and Coventry, which collectively have the potential to represent 135GW capacity. His presentation showcased the capability of the UK battery ecosystem and underscored the collaborative opportunities within the industry.
While there is growing optimism for the UK battery manufacturing industry, it’s clear that efforts must be intensified to keep pace with European investments. Dr Saad Abbasi from the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) highlighted the centre's primary purpose of connecting research and development with large-scale production of advanced battery technologies in the UK. As part of the Faraday Battery Challenge, UKBIC offers state-of-the-art facilities for materials research, cell design, pilot production, and rigorous testing. It supports organisations, including SMEs, in scaling their technology by providing resources to mitigate risks before making large investments.
The workshop served as a platform for stakeholders to collaborate, share insights, and explore pathways towards a sustainable and resilient battery ecosystem in the UK. With the EV revolution accelerating, the event emphasised the necessity of concerted efforts from across the supply chain, to overcome challenges and capitalise on opportunities, ensuring that the UK remains at the forefront of innovation in battery technology.
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