Luxury car maker Aston Martin has signed an agreement with Britishvolt as it develops a gigafactory to produce batteries for electric vehicles at its plant on the Northumberland coast.
The memorandum of understanding is part of Aston Martin’s plans to launch its first battery-powered vehicle by 2025 and is a further boost to the plans for the gigafactory at Cambois, near Blyth.
A joint research and development team from the two companies will design, develop, and industrialise battery packs, as well as working together to maximise the capability of special high performance cells being developed by Britishvolt for use in high performance Aston Martin electric vehicles.
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The deal follows a similar agreement signed with fellow luxury car maker Lotus in January.
Orral Nadjari, founder and chief executive officer at Britishvolt, said: “For a prestigious marque such as Aston Martin, staying true to its world-renowned brand of ultra-luxury, high-performance vehicles, whilst transitioning to electrification, means insisting on customised, sustainable battery cell technology that pushes the boundaries of performance. Britishvolt is excited to be collaborating with Aston Martin, helping accelerate that switch to electrification – I believe we make formidable partners.
“This collaboration once again highlights the value of working hand-in-glove with customers to co-develop and manufacture tailored, sustainable, localised battery cells, allowing vehicle makers to deliver superior products. Technologies that reset the benchmarks.
“We are excited about the prospect of an all-electric Aston Martin powered by Britishvolt’s low carbon, sustainable battery cells. Collaboration like this is the only way forward for a successful energy transition.”
Construction work to create a gigafactory on the former coal yards at the old Blyth Power Station is due to start in the next few weeks. The plant is due to open in 2024, with hopes it will create 3,000 direct jobs and another 5,000 in its supply chain.
Funding from the Government of “tens of millions” led to £1.7bn backing from finance groups Tritax and abrdn, while Britishvolt is also hoping to raise another £200m to support its plans.
Tobias Moers, chief executive officer of Aston Martin Lagonda: “This powerful collaboration combines Aston Martin’s 109 years of engineering mastery with the expertise of a fast-growing UK technology business. Working together with Britishvolt, I believe we can create new technologies to power benchmark-setting Aston Martin electric cars that will match our reputation for high performance and ultra-luxury with the highest standards of sustainability.
“Supplementing the close strategic relationship with our shareholder Mercedes-Benz AG, this partnership provides Aston Martin with additional access to technology and skills to broaden our electrification options.
“We are proud to be partnering with a UK-based, low-carbon battery manufacturer as part of our ambition to be a leading sustainable ultra-luxury business, with a commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative Net-Zero standard.”
