Anglo-Korean battery manufacturer Eurocell has chosen the Netherlands as the location for its first European production site, having previously also considered sites in the UK and Spain.
The firm says it is now "in advanced discussions" with authorities in the Netherlands, and is progressing towards a goal of reaching full production capacity by 2025, but has yet to define the exact location for its plant. It says it will supply both the energy storage and electric mobility sectors across Europe.
The factory will be built in two phases, and Eurocell says the first battery cells will enter production in the first completed section 'at scale' by early next year - which, it says, means it will be in operation "far faster than other gigafactories".
The second section, not yet confirmed to be on the same site, will apparently be capable of building upwards of 40 million cells annually by 2025. The firm has yet to confirm any supply partnerships it has formed in any of the sectors it will supply.
Eurocell's establishment of a facility in the Netherlands will come as a blow to UK industry, given that the firm says the announcement represents an investment of $800 million (£661m) at this stage, which will climb to $2 billion (£1.65bn) by 2028. It will also create "hundreds of direct and indirect jobs" at the site and across the supply chain.
Currently, two other battery start-ups are progressing with plans to set up sites in the UK: Britishvolt in Blyth, Northumberland and the West Midlands Gigafactory at Coventry Airport. Chinese firm Envision AESC, meanwhile, will more than triple the output of its Sunderland site from 2024, in line with the electrification plans of partner firm Nissan, based next door.
Speaking of the decision to build in the Netherlands, Eurocell chief commercial officer Nick Clay said: “In its climate policy, the Netherlands outlines its ambition to lead Europe in the fight against global warming with a comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions across industries.
“With rapid expansion plans in Europe, Eurocell is encouraged by the positive engagement we have had with both the Dutch government and NOM investment and development agency for the northern Netherlands over the last few months.
"As we enter the final stages of discussions, we are confident that we will be able to confirm the exact location of our first European gigafactory in the near future.”
Eurocell says its batteries last “up to 10 times longer” than conventional lithium ion cells and claims they’re more sustainable, are not as susceptible to extreme temperatures and have “no end-of-life issues”. According to the company, its batteries will “outlive the majority of systems” they support, with a lifespan of more than 25 years.
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Probably subsidised by the Dutch government or some EU scam.
Large investment going elsewhere, another Brexit Bonus.
Having a customs boarder between the battry productions and the vehicle production brings additional costs and logistical challenges; it is amazing that the UK was ever in the running at all.
Interesting that Autocar completely glossed over the fact that Britishvolt have gone into "life support" measures, to cut back on spending, limiting construction work from now until February. They issued their "life support" just two days before they received grant money from the UK Government, thought to be in the region of £100million.
Suggestions are that, due to a lack of funding, the groundworks contractors had not been paid. Likewise, delays to the steel components for the structure have also been delayed for the same reason.
Essentially the public statements are that the pause is due to the need to finalise design. Calling BS on that. A question was asked in Parliament, and the governemnt response was "officials had carried out in-depth due diligence on the project". A classic non-answer answer. This is a company co-founded by a convicted tax fraudster.
At best they have run far too fast before they can even crawl. Production is planned to start by 2024...they may be ready in time to start supplying TVR, instead.