US battery manufacturer Nanotech Energy is planning to construct a gigafactory in the UK, which could cost up to £1 billion. Seven potential sites are being evaluated, though no specific locations or regions have been named by the company.
The final decision will be based on technical factors and partnerships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The plant will be Nanotech Energy’s second production facility for its graphene-based, non-flammable lithium-ion batteries. The company’s first plant, in Nevada, will begin mass production in 2024.
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Dr. Jack Kavanaugh, chairman, CEO and co-founder of Nanotech Energy, said: “Battery storage is finally set to fulfil its potential. After more than seven years of R&D, Nanotech Energy’s non-flammable lithium-ion batteries are among the safest and most environmentally friendly options on the market. They also offer significantly better recharge speeds and greater storage capacities than traditional batteries, and moving into a new phase of production at our proposed £1bn Gigafactory will dramatically accelerate the advance of the UK’s EV sector.”
Nanotech Energy’s batteries are aimed at the electric vehicle market and are being marketed as safer and more powerful than traditional lithium-ion batteries. The graphene-based electrodes and patent-protected, non-flammable electrolyte allow the batteries to function in a temperature range of -40°C to +60°C. The batteries are available in 18650 round cell and pouch cell formats.
The company expects its batteries to have a wide range of applications, including electric vehicles, consumer electronics, marine equipment, stationary energy storage, and military hardware. Nanotech Energy’s chairman, CEO, and co-founder, Jack Kavanaugh, stated that after seven years of R&D, the company’s batteries are among the safest and most environmentally friendly options on the market, with faster recharge times and greater storage capacities than traditional batteries. The proposed gigafactory will significantly boost the UK’s electric vehicle sector.
