Tata Sons, the owner of Jaguar Land Rover, has confirmed plans to build a flagship electric car battery factory in Somerset, UK. The new gigafactory near Bridgwater represents a £4bn investment and is expected to create 4,000 direct jobs, with thousands more in the wider supply chain. Production is slated to begin in 2026, initially supplying batteries for Jaguar Land Rover vehicles such as Range Rover, Defender, and Jaguar brands, with plans to supply other manufacturers.
The UK government has provided subsidies worth hundreds of millions of pounds to secure the investment, though the exact amount has not been disclosed. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that the decision was based on a range of factors, including tax cuts, investment in skills, infrastructure, and post-Brexit regulatory changes. The plant is described as the most significant UK automotive investment since Nissan arrived in the 1980s.
Industry bodies and unions have welcomed the announcement but called for a clearer industrial strategy. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said the investment comes at a critical time, as producing batteries in the UK is essential for anchoring wider vehicle production. However, Sharon Graham of Unite union warned that the UK must not lag behind the US and EU in attracting low-carbon investments and urged the government to require UK-made steel for the factory.
The UK currently has only one operational battery plant, next to Nissan's Sunderland factory, with another proposed in Northumberland. In contrast, the EU has 35 plants open, under construction, or planned. Shadow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds welcomed the investment, stating Labour would ensure such announcements are not a one-off. The cross-party Business and Trade Committee will examine the subsidy package and its scalability for future battery manufacturing sites.
