Business and Trade Committee Oral Evidence: Batteries for Electric Vehicle Manufacturing, HC 1070.

Abstract:

This document is the transcript of the oral evidence given by Stephen Gifford, Chief Economist, on the House of Commons Business and Trade Committee inquiry into Batteries for EV manufacturing. The inquiry examined the viability of EV battery manufacturing in the UK, the potential to scale-up battery manufacturing to meet growing EV demand, the risks to the UK automotive industry of not establishing sufficient battery manufacturing capacity and the lessons that the UK can learn from other countries. This oral evidence is a follow up to the written evidence submitted by the Faraday Institution for this inquiry. In this oral evidence, Gifford emphasised the urgent need for five gigafactories by 2030 to meet anticipated demand. Given the lead time for factory development, this timeline presents a narrow window for planning and construction. He also emphasised the importance of enhancing the supply chain and the significance of next-generation battery technologies such as sodium, lithium-sulfur and solid-state batteries where the UK has leading research capabilities. He concluded by highlighting the role that government can play beyond financial support, including promoting inward investment, fostering skills development and funding research and development. This document records the 42 questions asked to Stephen Gifford, Chief Economist (The Faraday Institution), Alan Hollis, Chief Executive (AMTE Power plc), and Ian Constance, Chief Executive (Advanced Propulsion Centre UK).

Publication Year:

2023

Publisher:

House of Lords

DOI:

No DOI minted

Author(s):

Faraday Institution