Posted on 08 Aug 2023
Chinese battery maker AESC, formerly known as Envision AESC, is rumoured to be deeply involved in Tata Motor’s planned £4 billion ($5.09 billion) UK gigafactory, Kallanish notes.
According to the Financial Times, five people “with direct knowledge of the arrangements” confirm the involvement. Two unnamed sources claim AESC will provide the technology for the first generation of batteries due to be manufactured in Somerset.
The company, which was originally owned by Japan’s Nissan, is also set to supply batteries for electric Jaguar models from 2025, in a deal reportedly done before the gigafactory was announced. The FT says these batteries are likely to come from the new factory AESC is building in Sunderland, adjacent to Nissan’s car factory.
The idea is that the UK-made batteries would fill the supply gap for Tata’s subsidiary Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) with packs before the gigafactory enters commercial production. The 40-gigawatt-hour new plant is set to come online in 2026, supplying both the JLR EV manufacturing in the UK and third-party companies.
Tata, JLR and AESC have declined to comment on the report. The UK government has also dodged questions on the potential link to the Chinese manufacturer, amid growing opposition to increased reliance on Chinese materials and technology.
The Indian carmaker said at the time of the investment announcement last month that Tata Sons’ Agratas will build the project, which will produce “high-quality, high-performance, sustainable battery cells and packs for a variety of applications within the mobility and energy sectors.”
“The company’s strategic growth plans for its flexible manufacturing capacity will begin with a rapid ramp-up phase and the start of production in 2026,” Tata adds. “The plant will employ innovative technologies and resource-efficient processes like battery recycling.”
Yet, this will be Tata’s first gigafactory, kickstarting its new global battery business Agratas. The Tata Sons’ subsidiary aims to develop in-house battery technology to power passenger and commercial vehicles, two- and three-wheelers and energy storage systems. It plans to produce “high energy density nickel-manganese-cobalt and long-lasting lithium iron phosphate battery cells.”
Agratas is setting up its first facility in Gurajat, India. The plant is expected to have an initial capacity of 20 GWh, potentially doubling later.
AESC’s second Sunderland battery factory, slated to become operational in 2025, will have 12 GWh capacity and be fully powered by “net zero carbon energy.” The battery maker has 13 manufacturing sites across Japan, the US, the UK, France, Spain and China.
Source:Kallanish
