UK awards $510 million to Tata's Agratas for Somerset EV battery gigafactory

Britain has awarded about 380 million pounds ($509.54 million) in funding to Agratas, the battery arm of India's Tata Group, to support the transition to zero-emission vehicles, the government-backed Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) said on Thursday.

Here are some details on the announcement from the ‌UK's Advanced Propulsion ⁠Centre (APC), ⁠with the funding forming part of a broader 470 million pound ​grant:

* The investment forms part of a broader 470 million pound government ​grant package and will support Agratas' planned gigafactory in Somerset, enhancing domestic electric vehicle (EV) battery production and strengthening supply ​chains for zero-emission transport, the APC ⁠said.


* The ‌grant to Agratas was proposed last ​year by ​the Department for Business and Trade.

* Agratas, ⁠established to support Tata Motors and Jaguar Land Rover, is building what is set to be Britain's largest electric vehicle battery plant in Somerset, with expected capacity of about 40 gigawatt-hours.

* "By funding our automotive sector, we are creating the right conditions for increased investment, economic growth, and jobs across the country," Minister ‌for Industry Chris McDonald said in a statement.

* The Somerset plant is expected to supply Jaguar Land Rover ​and ​could in future ⁠also supply other carmakers, helping support thousands of jobs.

* The remaining government grants were allocated to winners across major collaboration, research and ​development, and investment programmes run by the government, the APC said.

* APC works with the government and industry to support investment in zero-emission vehicle and battery manufacturing in Britain.